AUBURNDALE, Fla. - The University of Sioux Falls scored five runs in the final three innings to defeat the University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team 10-4 Sunday, March 10 at Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale, Fla.

Minnesota Crookston dropped to 6-8 (3-5 NSIC) with Sunday's loss. The Golden Eagles and Cougars split the series 2-2. USF improved to 7-5 (2-2 NSIC) with the win.

The Golden Eagles finished with eight hits. Teddy Giefer (Sr., 1B, Courtland, Minn.) continues to carry the hot bat for the Golden Eagles, going 2-of-4, with three RBIs. Caden Headlee (R-Jr., OF, Fargo, N.D.) has had an impressive start to the season, hitting 2-of-5, with a run scored. Jake Hjelle (R-Sr., OF/1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.), was 1-of-4, with two runs scored. Sawyer Satrom (R-So., IF, Portland, N.D.) went 1-of-3, with an RBI.

Josh Dykhoff (So., RHP/DH, Wadena, Minn.) had a quality start, tossing six innings, and allowing four runs on seven hits. Dykhoff struck out six, and walked four. Max Weber (Jr., RHP, St. Paul, Minn.) suffered the loss after giving up the go-ahead run. Carsen Barta (Fr., RHP, Fargo, N.D.) pitched a scoreless inning, while Joey Connelly (So., LHP, Eden Prairie, Minn.) allowed five runs in 1.1 innings. Nate Grafsgaard (Sr., RHP, Devils Lake, N.D.) pitched a scoreless 0.2 innings.

Owen Weadge pitched five innings for the Cougars, allowing three earned runs, on five hits. He struck out six, and walked two. Zachary Shastay picked up the win, pitching two scoreless stanzas.

Both USF and Minnesota Crookston mowed through the order in the first inning. Sioux Falls took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second with a Noah Christenson single to plate Ben Serie. The Golden Eagles got out of any further damage. 

Minnesota Crookston put runners on the corners in the bottom of the third with singles from Mitch Goodwin (R-Sr., IF, Prior Lake, Minn.),  and Kobe Senn (R-So., Fargo, N.D.). However, Weadge was able to pitch out of the situation to keep the score 1-0 in favor of the Cougars. 

The Golden Eagles had Dykhoff reach on a walk, and Hjelle reach on an error to open the bottom of the fourth. Satrom laced a single to left center to score Hjelle to knot the game 1-1. 

Sioux Falls had two base runners in the top of the fifth with a single from Christenson, while Isaac Bonner reached on a fielder's choice. Swanson singled, driving in Christenson to put USF ahead 2-1. Dykhoff got a groundout to get out of the inning.

Minnesota Crookston loaded the bases in the top of the fifth. Headlee started the rally with a single, followed by a Dykhoff being hit by a pitch, and Hjelle walking. 

USF tied the score 4-4 in the top of the sixth. Mitch Iliff singled to plate Serie. Bonner singled in Iliff to knot the game 4-4. Dykhoff got out of the inning with the game tied. 

Sioux Falls took a 5-4 lead in the top of the seventh with a Iliff single to plate Brady Klehr.

The Golden Eagles had two runners reach with one out, with singles from Hjelle and Giefer. However, Shastay got the final two outs to keep the score 5-4.

USF extended the advantage to 6-4 in the top of the ninth when Iliff was hit with the bases loaded, scoring Swanson. They pushed their lead to 7-4 when Christenson singled, plating Dane Small. Serie scored on a wild pitch to widen the gap to 8-4, while Iliff scored on a Ryan Gouldin sacrifice fly to make it 9-4. USF extended the lead to 10-4 with a Cate single to plate Christenson.

Minnesota Crookston baseball returns to action Tuesday, March 12 against Wayne State University in Davenport, Fla.