SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Augustana University, ranked 24th nationally, used a four-run bottom of the sixth to defeat the University of Minnesota Crookston 9-5 Friday, March 21 at Ronken Field in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Minnesota Crookston is 2-1 in their last three games with Augie. The Vikings improved to 12-6 (7-2 NSIC), while the Golden Eagles dropped to 7-12 (4-5 NSIC). 

Nate Benning (So., LHP, Browerville, Minn.) pitched one of his best outings of the season, allowing three runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings. Benning struck out five, and walked two. Isaac Roers (R-Jr., RHP, Stacy, Minn.) tossed 1.1 innings, giving up four runs on four hits. Jaxson Bennett (R-So., RHP, Saginaw, Minn.) allowed two runs in 0.2 innings. Joey Connelly (Jr., LHP, Eden Prairie, Minn.) pitched a scoreless half-inning, while Carsen Barta (So., RHP, Fargo, N.D.) threw a scoreless bottom of the eighth.

Ethan Cole started the game and notched nine strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Maddox Foss got the win in relief, allowing two runs in 2.2 innings, while Aidan Torpey tossed a scoreless 0.2 innings.

Dylan Debilzen (Fr., OF, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) continued his outstanding debut season, going 3-of-4, with an RBI, and two runs scored. Americo Sculati (R-Jr., OF, Golden Valley, Minn.) finished 2-of-4, with an RBI, and a run scored. 

Minnesota Crookston took an early 1-0 lead with a Sculati infield single, plating Debilzen. The Vikings got out of a bases loaded situation, but the Golden Eagles were able to get one run out of the top of the first.

Augustana finally broke through in the bottom of the third. A Bjorn Lind double to center field brought in Sam Siegel to tie the tilt 1-1. Joshua Koskie scored on a throwing error from the catcher to take the 2-1 advantage. A Kobe Eikmeier groundout brought in Lind to push the advantage to 3-1. Benning pitched out of a bases-loaded jam to keep the tally at 3-1.

The score remained 3-1 until the top of the fifth when Debilzen singled in Caden Kappes (So., IF, Wahpeton, N.D.). 

Minnesota Crookston knotted the score 3-3 with a Kobe Senn (Sr., IF, Fargo, N.D.) base-knock to score Sculati. 

Augustana had a high-scoring frame in the bottom of the sixth. A two-run home run from Single put the Vikings ahead 5-3. A Jack Hines base hit plated Koskie, and Trevor Winterstein to push the advantage to 7-3. Roers obtained the final out to keep the tally 7-3.

Minnesota Crookston got a run back in the top of the seventh with a Connor Bushbaum (R-Jr., OF, Saginaw, Minn.) sacrifice fly to score Debilzen.

Augie pushed the lead to 8-4 with a Koskie single to bring in T. Berg. A Winterstein single plated Koskie to widen the gap to 9-4. Connelly pitched out of a bases-loaded situation to keep the score 9-4.

Minnesota Crookston tried to rally in the top of the ninth. Jonah Norman (R-So., C, Winnipeg, Manitoba) came around on a RBI fielder's choice from Bushbaum. However, Torpey picked up the final out of the game as the Vikings were victorious 9-5.

The Golden Eagles play a doubleheader against the Vikings Saturday, March 22 at Ronken Field at 1 and 3 p.m.