General | 2/22/2025 7:36:00 PM
Box Score PUEBLO, Colo. - The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team fell 12-1 to Wayne State College Saturday, February 22 in their NSIC opener at Hobbs Field at the Runyon Sports Complex in Pueblo, Colo.
The Golden Eagles dropped to 1-3 (0-1 NSIC) with the loss on a sunny day in Colorado. Wayne State improved to 2-3 with the win. The Wildcats have won the last four games.
The Wildcats were guided by Jackson Shelburne, who had a strong outing on the mound for Wayne State. Shelburne went 6.2 innings, allowing one run on five hits. Shelburne struck out seven, and walked two. Jacob Kneifl got the final out of the tilt.
Minnesota Crookston struggled with command on the mound. Nate Benning (So., LHP, Browerville, Minn.) started and allowed four runs on seven hits in four innings. Benning struck out two, and walked three. Carsen Barta (So., RHP, Fargo, N.D.) allowed two runs, on one hit, and three walks. Jaxson Bennett (R-So., RHP, Saginaw, Minn.) gave up two runs, on two hits, in two frames. His twin brother Aaron Benentt (R-So., RHP, Saginaw, Minn.) allowed three runs, on three hits. Sean Felker (Fr., RHP, Audubon, Minn.) allowed one run, in one stanza.
The Golden Eagles notched five hits. Sawyer Satrom (Sr., IF, Portland, N.D.) guided the U of M Crookston, swinging 2-of-3, with one run scored. Dylan Debilzen (Fr., OF, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) finished 1-of-4. Josh Dykhoff (Jr., DH, Wadena, Minn.) went 1-of-3, while Kodi Miller (Sr., C, Grand Rapids, Minn.) was 1-of-2.
Wayne State notched 14 hits. Taylor Gill finished 2-of-4, with three runs scored. Max Heard was 2-of-4, with two RBIs, and three runs scored. Chase Douglas went 2-of-4, with two RBIs, and a run scored. Gabe Monosmith was 3-of-4, with two RBIs, while Braden Cannon was 1-of-3, with three RBIS, and a run scored.
After a scoreless first inning, the Wildcats put two on the scoreboard in the top of the second. Monosmith singled in Gill to make it 1-0. Wayne State extended the lead to 2-0 as McCafferty scored on a Gannon groundout.
The Golden Eagles left two on base in the bottom of the second as they tried to rally with two outs. Wayne State pushed their lead to 4-0 with a two RBI single from McCafferty, scoring Gill, and Heard.
Minnesota Crookston laced together three singles to open the bottom of the third but were only able to get one run when Satrom scored on a fielding error, following a Debilzen single. A double play got the Wildcats out of the frame leading 4-1.
The Golden Eagles had three walks in the top of the fifth helping to lead to two more runs. Heard scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-1. Monosmith reached on a fielder's choice, plating Gill to move the lead to 6-1.
Heard hit a two-run home run, driving in Douglas in the top of the sixth to push the advantage to 8-1.
Wayne State put four on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh. Cannon doubled in Braden Chaney, and Kaden Young to make it 10-1. Douglas doubled down the line to drive in a pair to make it 12-1. The Golden Eagles tried to rally to force more baseball, but they stranded the bases loaded, falling 12-1.
The Golden Eagles return to Hobbs Field to host the Wildcats in a doubleheader Sunday, February 23 at 2 and 4 p.m. C.T.
