CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team used an offensive onslaught Sunday, April 14 to pick up an 18-11 victory over Southwest Minnesota State University. Both teams used the wind to their advantage as it was blowing out of the park on Sunday, as evidenced by seven home runs between the two teams.
Minnesota Crookston improved to 21-12 (15-8 NSIC) with the win. Southwest Minnesota State dropped to 19-14 (13-11 NSIC) with the loss. The Golden Eagles take the series 2-1. Minnesota Crookston is 15-4 in their last 19 games. They are 5-1 in their last six games against the Mustangs. Minnesota Crookston is in fifth place in the conference standings, while Southwest Minnesota State is in sixth.
The Golden Eagles were guided by Kobe Senn (R-So., IF, Fargo, N.D.), who was 5-of-5 at the bottom of the lineup, with four RBIs, and three runs scored. Caden Headlee (R-Jr., OF, Fargo, N.D.) was 3-of-6, with two RBIs and a run scored. Josh Dykhoff (So., RHP/DH, Wadena, Minn.) went 3-of-6, with three RBIs and a run scored. Teddy Giefer (Sr., 1B, Courtland, Minn.) was 2-of-4, with three runs scored. Mitch Goodwin (R-Sr., SS, Prior Lake, Minn.) was 2-of-5, with one RBI and two runs scored.
Brody Sorenson (Sr., RHP, Grand Forks, N.D.) improved to 6-0 with the win. He allowed nine runs on 11 hits. Sorenson struck out five, and had no walks. Nate Grafsgaard (Sr., RHP, Devils Lake, N.D.) allowed one run on two hits in two innings. Caden Edwards (Jr., LHP, Duluth, Minn.) finished up the game, allowing a run on two hits in one inning.
Ryan Chmielewski lost the game, allowing 11 runs on 12 hits. Chmielewski struck out five, and walked two.
The Mustangs took the 2-0 advantage in the top of the second with a two run shot from Brady Petron, scoring himself, and Max Kalenberg. The Golden Eagles evened the tally in the bottom of the second with a two-run home run from Kodi Miller (Jr., C, Grand Rapids, Minn.), scoring himself, and Gifer. Minnesota Crookston overtook the lead later in the frame when Headlee singled, plating Senn, and Sawyer Satrom (R-So., IF, Portland, N.D.) to make it 4-2.
Southwest Minnesota State pulled within 4-3 with a Chase McDaniel solo home run. Owen Latendresse evened up the slate 4-4 with a solo shot over the fence in left center, while Jaxon Haase followed suit with another home run to put the Mustangs ahead 5-4.
The Golden Eagles came back with a big bottom of the third, scoring seven runs. Goodwin opened it up with a single, scoring Giefer to tie the game 5-5. A Senn infield single brought in Wensloff, while Goodwin scored on an error to make it 7-5. A Dykhoff RBI triple, brought in Headlee, and Senn to widen the gap to 9-5. Hjelle took it to 11-5 with a two-run home run, scoring himself, and Dykhoff.
The Mustangs cut the deficit to 11-6 when McDaniel singled in Jake Tauer in the top of the fourth. McDaniel scored on a Haase fielder's choice to bring it within 11-7. Southwest Minnesota State got the gap down to 11-8 with a Kalenberg sacrifice fly to score Isaac Nett.
The Golden Eagles pushed the lead to 13-8 with a Senn single, scoring Wensloff, Goodwin scored on a fielding error in left field. Minnesota Crookston widened the gap to 14-8 in the fifth when Miller reached on an error, bringing in Hjelle. They pushed the lead to 16-8 with a Senn two RBI single, scoring Miller, and Giefer.
The Mustangs cut the lead to 16-9 in the sixth with a home run from McDaniel.
McDaniel, who became the all-time hits leader at SMSU in the game, scored on a wild pitch in the eighth to trim the deficit to 16-10.
The Golden Eagles pushed back out to a 17-10 lead when Dykhoff singled to bring in Senn. A Hjelle sacrifice fly scored Satrom to widen the gap to 18-10.
Southwest Minnesota State got the deficit to 18-11 in the ninth with a Petron double to score Keenan Wenzel. However, it was not enough as Minnesota Crookston hung on for the win.
The Golden Eagles will remain at home to host Bemidji State University Wednesday, April 17 at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
