SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team fell 11-5 Thursday, May 8 to the University of Minnesota Duluth to end their season. The Bulldogs edged the Golden Eagles with five runs in the bottom of the seventh, and bottom of the eighth.
Minnesota Crookston ends the season with a 23-29 mark. They made their seventh appearance in the NSIC Tournament in 10 years, and had their eighth 20-win slate. Minnesota Duluth improved to 26-26 and advances to play the loser of the Minnesota State University/University of Sioux Falls game later Thursday. The Golden Eagles went 0-2 at the NSIC Tournament for the first time since 2019.
Nate Benning (So., LHP, Browerville, Minn.) started and tossed 4.2 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. Benning struck out five, and walked two. Benning was tagged with the loss and fell to 3-4. Isaac Roers (R-Jr., RHP, Stacy, Minn.) set the appearance record with his relief outing Thursday. Roers went two innings, allowing three runs on three hits. Joey Connelly (Jr., LHP, Eden Prairie, Minn.) tossed 0.1 innings, while Nate Grafsgaard (R-Sr., RHP, Devils Lake, N.D.) allowed three earned runs on four hits.
Henry Wilkinson got the win, allowing five runs on 10 hits. He struck out two, and walked one. Zach Kuseke got his second save of the season, allowing no runs in 1.2 frames.
The Golden Eagles were led by Josh Dykhoff (Jr., RHP/DH, Wadena, Minn.), who was 3-of-5, with three RBI, and two runs scored. He hit two home runs. Sawyer Satrom (R-Sr., IF, Portland, N.D.) was 2-of-5. Brock Larsen (R-Jr., C/1B, Blaine, Minn.) was 1-of-4, with a run scored, and an RBI. Caden Kappes (So., IF, Wahpeton, N.D.) went 1-of-1, with a run scored.
With two outs in the top of the first, Dykhoff laced one through the right side to give Minnesota Crookston their first base knock of the game. However, Wilkinson got Satrom to fly out to right field to keep the game 0-0.
With one out in the bottom of the first, Joey Flom put one down the left field line for a double to give the Bulldogs their first base runner. A single from Nathan Rosenberg pushed in Flom to give UMD a 1-0 advantage. Benning pitched out of any further danger, keeping the tally 1-0.
Richardson led off the bottom of the second with a double off the wooden fence in right field. Michael Gabbard doubled down the left field line to plate Richardson to move it to 2-0. Benning got the final two outs of the frame to keep it at 2-0.
In the bottom of the fourth Dykhoff, and Aaron Wensloff (So., IF/OF, Roseau, Minn.) sent a pair of masterpieces over the right field fence to knot the tilt 2-2.
The Bulldogs took the advantage 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth with a single from Sam Kliber to bring home Gabbard.
The Golden Eagles had the equalizer in the top of the fifth as Larsen made it three home run, tying the game 3-3. The home run was Larsen's fifth home run.
Minnesota Duluth continued trading punches as Rosenberg put one over the left field fence to give the Bulldogs a 4-3 edge. Roers was able to pitch the Golden Eagles out of further peril in the bottom of the fifth.
Satrom opened the top of the sixth with a double deep to right center off Wilkinson. Sculati walked with one out to put runners on first and second. Wilkinson pitched out of the jam to keep the lead 4-3.
UMD moved their advantage to 5-3 in the bottom of the sixth with a single from Flom to plate Gabbard. Rosenberg hit a ball to deep right but Danny Wensloff made a great play at the fence, but he was able to drive in Kliber to make it 6-3. Roers got the final out of the stanza.
The Golden Eagles opened the top of the seventh with a pinch-hit single from Caden Kappes (So., IF, Wahpeton, N.D.). Wilkinson got Debilzen to line out on a well-hit ball to shortstop. Larsen moved Kappes over on a groundout. Dykhoff then delivered his second home run of the day and his team-high 15th home run, trimming the deficit to 6-5. Satrom kept the inning alive with a base-knock. Aaron Wensloff hit a ball to deep center, but it was put away but not without the Golden Eagles slimming the gap.
Senn, and Danny Wensloff (R-Sr., OF/C, Roseau, Minn.) each walked in the top of the eighth and moved over on a wild pitch. However, Kuseke struck out pinch-hitter Cole Hebl (So., OF/1B, Hillsboro, N.D.), and Debilzen to keep the 7-5 advantage.
Kliber hit one just down the line over the fence to push the UMD advantage to 8-5 in the bottom of the eighth. Minnesota Duluth loaded the bags with one out in the bottom of the eighth. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 9-5 as Flom crossed the plate on a passed ball. A Richardson double plated Garrett Stauffacher, and Troy Lynch to extend the advantage to 11-5. The Golden Eagles out of the frame with a fly ball, and caught stealing.
The Bulldogs were able to shut the door in the top of the ninth to earn the 11-5 victory. The game is the final one for seniors Danny Wensloff, Satrom, Senn, Kodi Miller (C, Grand Rapids, Minn.), Grafsgaard, Caden Edwards (LHP, Duluth, Minn.), Jacob Mathiason (RHP, Rockford, Minn.), and Max Weber (RHP, St. Paul, Minn.). Minnesota Crookston has a strong core returning, as they look to build and improve and get back to the NSIC Tournament in 2026.
