BRANDON, S.D. - The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball team edged the University of Jamestown 6-2 in the series opener at Aspen Park in Brandon, S.D. Friday, March 20. The Golden Eagle pitchers limited the Jimmies to two runs on nine hits in Friday's victory.

Minnesota Crookston improved to 12-10 (5-5 NSIC) with the victory. The Golden Eagles are currently tied for sixth in the NSIC standings. Jamestown dropped to 5-17 (1-9 NSIC) with the loss. The Jimmies are Golden Eagles met for the first time as NSIC foes. The win was the first ever for Minnesota Crookston over Jamestown. They are 1-4 all-time against the Jimmies. Jamestown's last win came with an 8-3 result February 26, 2012. 

Ashton Detloff (Fr., LHP, Perham, Minn.) continued his impactful freshman season, going two innings in the start and allowing just one run on three hits and two walks. Isaac Wensloff (Sr., RHP, Roseau, Minn.) came on in relief and earned the win to improve to 3-1. Wensloff threw five frames, allowing one run on four hits. He struck out five, and walked two. Nate Heymann (Jr., RHP, Waimea, Hawai'i) tossed a scoreless stanza, with three strikeouts and a walk. Kaylor Chamberlain (So., RHP, Mankato, Minn.) held off the bats with just one hit in one frame with a strikeout.

The loss for Jamestown went to Isaac Hanson, who allowed three runs on five hits in 4.1 innings. Hanson struck out four, and walked three.

Jackson Fliflet (R-So., C, Wahpeton, N.D.) launched his team-high eight home runs, going 1-of-4, with an RBI and a run scored. Aaron Wensloff (Jr., IF, Roseau, Minn.) hit 3-of-5, with two RBI and a run scored. Americo Sculati (R-Sr., OF, Golden Valley, Minn.) was 3-of-4, with a run scored. Caden Kappes (Jr., IF, Wahpeton, N.D.) hit 2-of-4, with a run scored. Tori Uhlich (Jr., OF, Wahpeton, N.D.) stole three bases and leads the team with 18 in 2026.

The Jimmies hopped on the scoreboard first in the second stanza with a Trayson Kostial slam to make it 1-0.

In the third, Aaron Wensloff put out his third home run of the season, evening the tally 1-1.

In the fourth frame, Fliflet powered out a home run to give the Golden Eagles a 2-1 edge.

In the fifth, an Aaron Wensloff base-knock drove in Uhlich to make it 3-1. 

The Golden Eagles pushed their lead to 4-1 in the seventh when Elias Leach (Fr., OF, Plymouth, Minn.) scored when Cole Hebl (R-So., 1B, Hillsboro, N.D.) grounded into a double play.

In Jamestown's bottom of the seventh, Adrian Warcken doubled to left center, driving in Grant Chapman to chip the lead to 4-2. 

Minnesota Crookston extended their lead to 5-2 when Kappes scored on a wild pitch in the eighth.

Jamestown put on the first two runners in the bottom of the eighth with a Mason Shea walk, and a Ben Swennumson single with no outs. Heymann proceeded to strike out three-consecutive batters to keep the lead 5-2.

Minnesota Crookston passed their lead to 6-2 with a Connor Bushbaum (R-Sr., OF, Saginaw, Minn.) single to drive in Sculati.

The Golden Eagles look to win the series with a doubleheader in Brandon, S.D., Sunday, March 21 at Aspen Park against Jamestown.