Baseball | 1/22/2026 10:05:00 AM
BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball program was selected to finish eighth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll released by the conference office Thursday, January 22. The Golden Eagles received 112 points, and were just behind University of Mary in seventh by three points. They were ahead of Southwest Minnesota State University in ninth by 22 points.
Minnesota Crookston finished last season in a tie for seventh in the NSIC standings with a 23-29 (20-20 NSIC) mark. The Golden Eagles have become a consistent contender in the NSIC over the last decade. Minnesota Crookston has eight 20-win seasons since 2016. They have made seven NSIC Tournament appearances since 2016. Head Coach Steve Gust is the all-time winningest coach in any sport in Minnesota Crookston history with 263 victories.
The Golden Eagles are led by a pair of brothers. Aaron Wensloff (Jr., IF/OF, Roseau, Minn.) was selected as the Player to Watch for the Golden Eagles after a breakout season as a sophomore. Wensloff can play all over the diamond, and is expected to play mostly at first base and third base in 2026. He hit .308, with 34 runs scored, 13 doubles, eight home runs, and 36 RBI last season. His older brother Isaac Wensloff (Sr., RHP, Roseau, Minn.) was picked as the Pitcher to Watch for Minnesota Crookston. Wensloff has been reliable as an arm throughout his career. He was 4-2 with a 4.81 ERA in 58 innings pitched as a junior, with 10 starts, 40 strikeouts, and 20 walks.
As a team, Minnesota Crookston returns four starters in the field, including Aaron Wensloff. Americo Sculati (R-Sr., OF, Golden Valley, Minn.) hit .273 in 2025, with 34 runs scored, seven home runs, and 32 RBI. Connor Bushbaum (R-Sr., OF, Saginaw, Minn.) returns after swinging .250, with 19 runs scored, six doubles, and 18 RBI. Kyler Miller (So., SS, Grand Rapids, Minn.) had a successful freshman season, hitting .250, with 23 runs scored, three doubles, three home runs, and 14 RBI. Caden Kappes (Jr., IF, Wahpeton, N.D.) is also back after making 22 starts last season.
At pitcher, Isaac Wensloff leads the way for the staff. Nate Benning (Jr., LHP, Browerville, Minn.) has been a reliable starter in his career, going 3-4 with a 6.59 ERA as a sophomore with 42 strikeouts, and 26 walks. Kyle Odenbach (Sr., LHP, Thompson, N.D.) made 12 starts as a junior, while Isaac Roers (R-Sr., RHP, Stacy, Minn.) has been a consistent presence in the staff. Roers made 27 appearances last season, going 6-4 with a 5.77 ERA.
Minnesota State University was selected to win the conference with 190 points and eight first-place votes, while Augustana University was close behind with 189 points and seven first-place votes. Isaac Pegors of UMary was named the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year, while Augustana's Ashton Michek was named the NSIC Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
The Golden Eagles commence the 2026 season February 6 at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.
