The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle baseball team has announced 16 student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play baseball for the program next year. The Golden Eagles signed 13 from Minnesota and three from North Dakota. The Golden Eagles took care of their doorstep, signing 13 student-athletes from within 160 miles of Crookston. In addition, six student-athletes are from within 35 miles of Crookston, with four signees from Thief River Falls.
UMC had the following sign – Asher Blaine (RHP, 6-1 200, Frazee), Alex Blume (SS, 6-1 190, Perham), Cameron Dean (OF/1B, 6-2 210, Maple Grove/Holy Family Catholic H.S.), Ashton Detloff (LHP, 6-3 210, Perham), Noah Gonzales (C, 5-8 175, Thief River Falls), Braylon Hamre (SS/RHP, 5-10 170, McIntosh/Win-E-Mac), Jaxon Hams (RHP, 6-2 180, Thief River Falls), Jack Hansen (OF, 5-7 160, Mankato East H.S.), Noah Jensen (1B, 6-3 250, Glenwood/Minnewaska Area H.S.), Elias Leach (OF/1B/LHP, 6-5 210, Plymouth/Wayzata H.S.), Bodhi Mossestad (RHP/OF, 6-5 175, Thief River Falls), Drew Odenbach (RHP, 6-7 210, Thompson, N.D.), Thomas Schumacher (IF/OF, 5-8 165, Thompson, N.D.), Tori Uhlich (5-11 175, Wahpeton, N.D./North Dakota State College of Science), Eli Wensloff (OF/RHP, 6-2 205, Roseau), and Gannon Zutz (RHP/SS, 6-3 171, Thief River Falls).
“It would be an understatement to say that we are ecstatic with this signing class,” said Head Coach Steve Gust. “We were able to sign most of our top recruits including ones at pivotal positions. Pitching was of utmost importance to us, and I believe this group of pitchers has a chance to excel over the course of the next four years. We also like the athleticism up and down our board. It’s just a group of all-around athletes who have a combination of speed, power and size, along with other elite tools. More importantly, they are all good students with their priorities in order. We feel this class will compliment the returning players. It’s a good feeling knowing our program will be in good shape for the next several years.”
Asher Blaine (RHP, 6-1 200, Frazee, Minn./Frazee-Vergas H.S.)
Blaine is a two-time Heart O’ Lakes All-Conference selection, and a two-time All-Conference Honorable Mention selection. He had 19.5 strikeouts per nine innings last season. He earned the Minnesota Teammate of the Year Award. He is a multiple time Spotlight on Scholarship recipient. He is a three-sport athlete in high school, and earned All-Conference accolades in all three.
He is the son of Tyler and Amy Blaine. Blaine plans to major in business at Minnesota Crookston. Both of his grandfathers played football and baseball at Concordia College. His father Tyler played football at Itasca Community College.
“Asher is a typical student-athlete that we like to recruit at Minnesota Crookston,” Gust remarked. “He has great integrity, gets it done in the classroom, and has great tools. We feel like he has flown under the radar as a pitcher. He has what it takes to excel on the mound, and is only going to get better.”
Alex Blume (SS, 6-1 190, Perham, Minn./Perham H.S.)
Blume is an All-State, All-Conference, and All-Section performer for the Perham baseball team. He was named to the All-Tournament team at state. In football, he was First Team All-District and First Team All-Section. He is a National Honor Society member. He lived in Perham when he was younger, and moved to Williston, N.D., when he was six. He transferred back to Perham to finish high school. Blume hit .400 in 2024, with a 1.116 OPS. He had 41 runs scored, and 19 RBIs.
His uncle Josh played baseball at College of St. Scholastica. Blume’s cousin Noah Rooney plays baseball for the University of Minnesota. He is the son of Bryan and Mackenzie Blume. Blume plans to major in business.
“Alex is a great athlete, competitor and winner,” said Head Coach Steve Gust. “He moved to Perham a year ago and helped them to another state tournament appearance. We believe Alex will develop into an all-around great middle infielder.”
Cameron Dean (OF/1B, 6-2 210, Maple Grove, Minn./Holy Family Catholic H.S.)
Dean has earned three varsity letters and is an Honor Roll student. He is an All-Conference performer. Dean served as hockey and baseball captain. He had the third highest slugging percentage in Holy Family history as a junior. Dean hit .400, with an .800 slugging percentage, and a .545 on-base percentage, with three home runs. Also earned Honorable Mention All-Conference. He volunteers at homeless shelters once a month.
He is the son of Rich and Dana Dean. Dean plans to major in either health sciences or business administration at Minnesota Crookston. His dad Rich Dean played baseball at Mayville State University. His mom Dana Dean played volleyball and basketball at Mayville State. Both of his parents are in the Hall of Fame at Mayville State. His brother Dylan Dean is a commit for the University of Maine hockey team.
“I had the pleasure of coaching with Cameron’s dad at the University of North Dakota,” Gust said. “He comes from a great baseball family that excelled in several sports. Cam is just touching the surface with what he is capable of doing on the field. He has a chance to hit at a very high level. I expect to see big development from him from day one.”
Ashton Detloff (LHP, 6-3 210, Perham, Minn./Perham H.S.)
Detloff was a 2024 All-State performer. He was the Heart O’ Lakes Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2023 and 2024. He was a 2024 and 2024 All-Section performer. He was an All-Heart O’ Lakes Conference honoree. Detloff pitched 55.1 innings last season, with a 1.27 ERA, with 70 strikeouts, and an 8-2 mark. In 2023, he had a 1.67 ERA, with a 7-1 mark, and 64 strikeouts. He hit .354 as a junior, with 23 RBIs, and 13 runs scored.
He is the son of Paul and Tammy Detloff. Detloff plans to major in business at Minnesota Crookston. His dad Paul Detloff played football at Minnesota Crookston. His dad was an All-NSIC First Team pick in 2001.
“We have watched Ashton pitch for one of the state’s top programs for the last several years,” Gust stated. “He is a competitor and a proven winner. Left-handed pitching is always a priority for us. Ashton checks all the boxes we look for in a pitcher.”
Noah Gonzales (C, 5-8 175, Thief River Falls/Lincoln H.S.)
Gonzales was a 2024 All-Section 8AA selection at Thief River Falls Lincoln H.S. He was also a 2023 All-Section 8AA pick.He was named to the 2022, 2023, 2024 Dakminn Prospects. In 2022, Gonzales was named to the Perfect Game Sophomore Select Invitational All-Tournament Team. He hit .422 as a junior, and led the team with 18 RBIs. Gonzales hit .435 as a sophomore.
He is the son of Xavier and Jackie Gonzales. Gonzales plans to major in marketing at Minnesota Crookston. His dad Xavier Gonzales was an athlete at East Los Angeles College.
“Noah has an elite passion for the game and desire to do whatever it takes to be successful,” Gust said. “He is a workhorse behind the plate and has some natural ability. With some size and explosiveness, we feel good about him developing into an all-around great catcher.
Braylon Hamre (SS/RHP, 5-10 170, McIntosh, Minn./Win-E-Mac H.S.)
Hamre has been an All-Conference selection at Win-E-Mac High School. He was named All-Pine to Prairie Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2024.
He is the son of Tanya and Erik Hamre. Hamre plans to major in wildlife management at Minnesota Crookston. His brother Kobe Hamre played football at the University of Jamestown.
“Braylon has found ways to be successful both in the classroom and on the field,” Gust stated. “He has been a great athlete at Win-E-Mac for the past few years. We are hoping he can continue to move forward with his abilities after dedicating himself to year-round baseball.”
Jaxon Hams (RHP, 6-2 180, Thief River Falls, Minn./Lincoln H.S.)
Hams is the highest-ever rated player from Prep Baseball Report to sign with Minnesota Crookston. He was ranked as the No. 18 overall player, and ninth in his position. He has played football, baseball, and hockey for Thief River Falls Lincoln H.S.
He is the son of Jon and Lisa Hams. Hams plans to major in agribusiness at Minnesota Crookston. His uncle Jarod Reierson played baseball at Northland Community and Technical College. His aunt Natasha Reierson is a former assistant athletic director at Minnesota Crookston. His grandpa is a veteran with a Purple Heart and has a cattle farm.
“He obviously has some elite tools as a pitcher,” Gust said. “His arm speed is as good as anyone in the state, and is just a good all-around athlete. He must continue to develop, but he has the potential to be an elite pitcher at our level.”
Jack Hansen (OF, 5-7 160, Mankato, Minn./Mankato East H.S.)
Hansen hit .333 as a junior at Mankato East High School. He had a .969 OPS, with four doubles, two triples, 14 RBIs, and nine stolen bases. In 2024 for his fall ball team, Pine Tar Academy, hit .286, with a .407 on-base percentage, and .784 slugging percentage. Hansen scored 17 runs, and had 11 stolen bases.
He is the son of Brian and Kate Hansen. Hansen plans to major in exercise science and wellness. His mom Kate was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2022. She is now cancer free, and is his hero, he brings the motto “I can do hard things” to his daily life.
“Jack is a mix of talent, grit, passion and desire,” Gust remarked. “His speed plays at our level, but what separates Jack is his energy and desire to succeed. In some way, shape or form, he will have an impact on our program.”
Noah Jensen (1B, 6-3 250, Glenwood, Minn./Minnewaska Area H.S.)
Jensen was a 2023 and 2024 All-West Central Conference selection. He was the Minnewaska Area H.S. Best Offensive Player in 2023 and 2024. He was All-Section 3-AAA in 2024. Jensen broke the school record for most home runs in a season with eight in 2024. He broke the school’s career home run mark with 11. He is the son of Patia and Lance Jensen. Jensen plans to major in exercise science and wellness at Minnesota Crookston. His uncle Eric Jensen played football at Willmar Community College. His aunt Mariah Heieie was a soccer player at Minnesota Crookston 2011-13. His uncle Shane Monjeau played men’s basketball at Minnesota Crookston 2010-12.
“Noah comes from another good baseball program with good coaches,” said Head Coach Steve Gust. “He has a presence to him that we like. Not only does he have a big physical frame, but he swings the bat with elite speed and power. We feel he is one of the best power hitters in the state. We look for him to have a big senior season before he arrives on campus.”
Elias Leach (OF/1B/LHP, 6-5 210, Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata H.S.)
Leach was the 15-U Gopher State Championship MVP. He earned the Pine Tar Academy Silver Slugger Award. In 2024, Leach hit .351, with five doubles, one triple, three home runs, and 17 RBIs. He scored 20 runs, and had a .471 on-base percentage.
He is the son of Jeff and Jasmine Leach. His grandpa played football at Winona State University, and his uncle played basketball at Augustana University.
“I liked Elias the minute I saw him on the field,” Gust said. “After his visit, we liked him even more. He is a great kid with a tremendous upside on the field. His size and athleticism stand out to me. He has a chance to be a great hitter and he is talented enough to contribute as a left-handed pitcher for us.”
Bodhi Mossestad (RHP/OF, 6-5 175, Thief River Falls, Minn./Lincoln H.S.)
Mossestad was an All-Section performer for Thief River Falls Lincoln H.S. He led the team in strikeouts with 66. He is one of four signees from Thief River Falls Lincoln H.S., joining Jaxon Hams, Noah Gonzales, and Gannon Zutz. He is a multi-sport athlete.
He is the son of Dale and Taya Mossestad. His dad Dale Mossestad played football at the University of Jamestown.
“Bodhi has everything we look for in a pitcher – size, strength, arm speed, spin rate, and he is a strike thrower,” Gust stated. “He is also a good student that has his priorities in order. We anticipate Bodhi making an immediate impact and only get better from there.”
Drew Odenbach (RHP, 6-7 210, Thompson, N.D./Thompson H.S.)
Odenbach helped lead Thompson High School to a North Dakota Class B State Championship. He helped his legion team to the North Dakota American Legion Class B State Championship in 2023 and 2024. Odenbach was an All-Region pick, and Second Team All-State performer. In 2024, he had a high school ERA for Thompson of 1.56. He joins his high school teammate Thomas Schumacher as a signee for the Golden Eagles.
He is the son of Matt and Danielle Odenbach. Odenbach plans to major in agronomy at Minnesota Crookston. His brother Clay Odenbach played baseball for South Dakota State University. His brother Kyle Odenbach plays baseball at Minnesota Crookston.
“Drew comes from an elite program and a great baseball family,” Gust said. “He has the tools to make an immediate impact and develop into an elite pitcher. We are ecstatic to have a proven winner and a pitcher with so much potential.”
Thomas Schumacher (IF/OF, 5-8 165, Thompson, N.D./Thompson H.S.)
Schumacher was an All-Region selection twice. He is a one-time All-Region Honorable Mention pick for Thompson High School. He helped lead Thompson High School to a North Dakota Class B State Championship. Schumacher is a three-time North Dakota American Legion Class B State Champion. As a junior, he hit .402, with a .544 on-base percentage. He was the 2023 Class B Legion State Championship MVP. He joins high school teammate Drew Odenbach as a signee for the Golden Eagles.
He is the son of Mike and Nina Schumacher. Schumacher has a 3.8 cumulative GPA. Schumacher plans to major in agronomy at Minnesota Crookston.
“Tommy has been on our radar for the last several years,” Gust stated. “He comes from a great program and is a winner. He has some great athleticism but what makes him special is his toughness and grittiness. He just finds ways to win and develop on the field.”
Tori Uhlich (OF, 5-11 175, Wahpeton, N.D./North Dakota State College of Science)
Uhlich hit .423 as a freshman at North Dakota State College of Science, with 18 RBIs, and a .534 on-base percentage. He holds 11 NDSCS baseball records. He had a 1.088 OPS, and 45 stolen bases for the Wildcats. He was the Wahpeton High School Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. Uhlich was an EDC First Team All-Conference selection in 2022. He was Wahpeton High School’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. He was a MonDak First Team All-Conference selection at NDSCS in 2024.
He is the son of Will and Barbara Uhlich. Uhlich is planning to major in business at Minnesota Crookston.
“We are very fortunate to get another student-athlete from a great Wahpeton program,” Gust said. “Tori has developed tremendously both on and off the field since high school. He is a great defensive outfielder, has elite speed and quickness, and finds ways to get on base as a hitter. The potential is there for him to be an all-around special player.”
Eli Wensloff (OF/RHP, 6-2 205, Roseau, Minn./Roseau H.S.)
Wensloff hit .320 in 2024, with a .874 OPS. He helped Roseau High School to a 2022 State AA Runner-Up finish. Wensloff has played football, baseball and hockey for Roseau High School.
He is the son of Todd and Leslie Wensloff. His brothers Isaac and Aaron both play baseball at Minnesota Crookston. His cousin Danny Wensloff also plays for the Golden Eagles. His dad Todd Wensloff played baseball at the University of North Dakota.
“The entire Wensloff family has given so much to our baseball program,” Gust said. “We have been lucky enough to have several families entrust us with developing more than one of their children, and the Wensloff family is no exception. He will have to work extremely hard and continue to develop, but we feel Eli has what it takes to be successful at this level.”
Gannon Zutz (RHP/SS, 6-3 171, Thief River Falls, Minn./Lincoln H.S.)
Zutz was an All-Section selection as a sophomore. He was an All-Conference selection for basketball. Zutz has been a team captain for baseball, basketball, and football. For his club team, he pitched 39.2 innings, with four wins, and 63 strikeouts. Zutz was a Junior Legion All Star. He is one four signees from Thief River Falls Lincoln High School joining Jaxon Hams, Bodhi Mossestad, and Noah Gonzales.
He is the son of Shane and Mya Zutz. Zutz plans to major in business management. His Father Shane Zutz played at Northland Community and Technical College. His dad also coached the high school team from 1998-09, leading them to state in 2009.
“Gannon is another good athlete, hard worker, and competitor,” Gust stated. “More impressive is that he is a team-first player and will do whatever it takes for the team to be successful. We aren’t sure right now if he projects as a pitcher or a position player, but wherever we use him he will work hard to develop.”
