DAVENPORT, Fla. - The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team fell 11-9 to Ashland University Sunday, March 3 at NorthEast Regional Park in Davenport, Fla. The Eagles scored six runs combined in the sixth and seventh innings to earn the victory.

Minnesota Crookston dropped to 4-6 (1-3 NSIC) with Sunday's loss to the Eagles. Ashland improved to 5-1 with the win. The Eagles made the 2023 NCAA Regional. 

Josh Dykhoff (So., RHP/DH, Wadena, Minn.) went five innings, allowing eight runs, on 10 hits. Nate Grafsgaard (Sr., RHP, Devils Lake, N.D.) pitched a scoreless sixth inning. Caden Edwards (Jr., LHP, Fargo, N.D.) allowed two runs, while Jacob Mathiason (Jr., RHP, Rockford, Minn.) allowed one run. Max Weber (Jr., RHP, St. Paul, Minn.), Joey Connelly (So., LHP, Eden Prairie, Minn.), and Isaac Roers (R-So., RHP, Stacy, Minn.) all had scoreless outings on the mound.

Ethan Stevens started for Ashland. He tossed three innings, allowing four runs on four hits. Stevens struck out four, and walked two. Drew Becker picked up the win, after going 2.2 innings in relief. 

Minnesota Crookston was propelled by Teddy Giefer (Sr., 1B, Courtland, Minn.), who continued his strong start to the 2024 season. Giefer went 3-of-4, with an RBI, and a run scored. Dykhoff finished 2-of-5, with two RBIs, and three runs scored. Caden Headlee (R-Jr., OF, Fargo, N.D.) went 2-of-5, with two RBIs, and a run scored. Jake Hjelle (R-Sr., OF/1B, East Grand Forks, Minn.), the 2023 NCBWA National Player of the Year, was 2-of-5, with two RBIs, and a run scored. 

Ashland went ahead 1-0 in the first when Ben Peltz singled in Sam Witt.

Minnesota Crookston knotted the game 1-1 in the bottom of the first when Headlee put down a bunt single, plating Danny Wensloff (Sr., OF/C, Roseau, Minn.). The Golden Eagles took a 2-1 lead in the first when Giefer singled in Headlee.

The Eagles tied the game 2-2 when Cam Miller singled in Devin Hukill in the third. Ashland pushed their advantage to 4-2 later in the stanza, when Peltz hit a two-run blast, plating himself, and Miller.

Minnesota Crookston knotted the game 4-4 in the bottom of the third with a two-run home run from Hjelle, plating himself, and Danny Wensloff.

The Eagles took the lead back 5-4 in the fourth when Hukill hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Jeremiah Cangelosi.

Minnesota Crookston tied the game 5-5 in the fourth with a Dykhoff double, plating Danny Wensloff. The Golden Eagles took the advantage 6-5 when Headlee doubled in Dykhoff.

Minnesota Crookston pushed the lead to 7-5 when Goodwin tripled to plate Giefer.

Ashland pulled within 7-6 in the sixth when Hukill was hit by a pitch, scoring Ian Sanders. The Eagles took the advantage 8-7 when Witt singled, plating Cangelosi, and Gavin Dobbels.

The Eagles moved their lead to 9-7 when Peltz scored on a passed ball. A Dobbels sacrifice fly, brought in Collin Overholt to extend the lead to 10-7. Sanders scored on a wild pitch to widen the gap to 11-7.

Minnesota Crookston made a late comeback in the final two innings. In the eighth, Cole Hebl (Fr., 1B/OF, Hillsboro, N.D.) singled in Hjelle. The Golden Eagles cut the deficit to 11-9 with a Dykhoff solo home run. However, they weren't able to overcome the final two runs.

Minnesota Crookston returns to action with a four-game series Friday, March 8, Saturday, March 9, and Sunday, March 10 against the University of Sioux Falls in Auburndale, Fla.