AUBURNDALE, Fla. - The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team relied on the arm of Brody Sorenson (Sr., RHP, Grand Forks, N.D.) to deliver a 5-1 win over Purdue University Northwest Thursday, March 14 at Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale, Fla. Sorenson continued his strong start to the season, striking out six batters.
Minnesota Crookston improved to 9-8 (3-5 NSIC) with Thursday's win over the Pride. They have improved to 7-3 during their Florida trip. Purdue Northwest dropped to 7-4 in 2024 with the loss.
Sorenson went 6.2 innings, allowing seven hits, striking out six and walking just two. The converted reliever improved to 2-1 with the win. He has a 3.45 ERA in 2024, with a team-high 35 strikeouts, and just six walks. The Golden Eagles got effective relief pitching in the morning outing. Joey Connelly (So., LHP, Eden Prairie, Minn.) retired his only batter faced in the seventh. Nate Grafsgaard (Sr., RHP, Devils Lake, N.D.) allowed just one hit in one inning, striking out three. Grafsgaard has yet to give up an earned run. Isaac Roers (R-So., RHP, Stacy, Minn.) tossed a scoreless ninth stanza.
The loss for Purdue Northwest went to Noah Burgh, who allowed two earned runs, on four hits in 5.1 innings of work.Â
The Golden Eagles were led by Cole Hebl (Fr., 1B/OF, Hillsboro, N.D.), who was 1-of-2, with an RBI, and a run scored. Hebl hit his first career home run. Kobe Senn (R-So., IF, Fargo, N.D.) finished 2-of-4, with an RBI, and a run scored. Josh Dykhoff (So., RHP/DH, Wadena, Minn.) was 1-of-5, with an RBI, and a run scored. Sawyer Satrom (R-So., IF, Portland, N.D.) finished 1-of-2, with an RBI, and a run scored.
The Pride scored a run in the first inning when Hayden Matulich singled in Luke Montgomery to take the 1-0 lead.
Minnesota Crookston knotted the score 1-1 in the top of the second when Hebl blasted the ball over the right field fence.
The Golden Eagles added two runs in the third. Dykhoff opened the scoring with a double to plate Satrom. Later in the frame, Dykhoff scored on a Caden Headlee (R-Jr., OF, Fargo, N.D.) groundout to extend the lead to 3-1.
Minnesota Crookston pushed their advantage to 4-1 in the sixth with a Senn single, plating Jake Hjelle (R-Sr., OF/1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.).
The Golden Eagles capped off the scoring in the eighth when Satrom singled, scoring Senn to cap off the 5-1 win.
Minnesota Crookston wraps up their 11-game Florida excursion Friday, March 15 with an 8 a.m. C.T., first pitch against Purdue Northwest from Pat Thomas Stadium in Leesburg, Fla.
