UMC BASEBALL SWEPT AT HOME BY SIOUX FALLS

The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) baseball team dropped their first two home games of the season losing 10-1 in game one and 3-2 in game two in an NSIC doubleheader played at the UMC Baseball Field.

GAME ONE – Sioux Falls found early offensive success against Minnesota Crookston stater Zach Rustad (Sr., Blaine) in the top of the first inning with a walk followed by a triple for the first two batters giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead.  Following another walk, an overthrown ball from UMC’s catcher, trying to throw out a runner stealing second base, ended up in center field allowing Sioux Falls to plate the second run in the inning. Anotherputlk pit runners on the corners before Rustad earned a much-needed strikeout for the first out of the inning. A single up the middle on a hit-and-run gave USF a 3-0 lead and put runners back on first and third base before a wild pitch moved two runners into scoring position. Rustad used an outside pitch to induce a swing and miss for his second strikeout of the inning before a fly out to center field ended the threat as the Cougars took a 1-0 lead out of the top of the first inning. Reed Hjelle (Sr., East Grand Forks) tried to spark Minnesota Crookston’s offense in the bottom of the first inning blasting a triple into centerfield off the base of the fence but was stranded at third base by a groundout as USF protected their 1-0 lead after one inning. In the top of the third inning, Sioux Falls used a lead-off double to start the inning.  A passed ball moved the runner to third base before an infield single plated the fourth run of the inning giving Sioux Falls a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning. The Cougars continued to add to their lead in the fourth inning thanks to three errors to lead off the inning that allowed Sioux Falls to plate to more runs and take a 6-0 lead. After a walk loaded the bases, a second consecutive free-pass allowed the Cougars to plate the seventh run to take a 7-0 lead. A single hit to left field plated the final run of the inning before a pair of strikeouts closed the top of the fourth inning with Sioux Falls leading 8-0. In the top of the fifth inning, Sioux Falls put a runner on base with a single before a hit into right field placed runners on the corners with no outs in the inning before the runner at third base was caught in a rundown and tagged out for the first putout of the inning. Scott Finberg (Jr., Stillwater) doubled to left field to lead off the fifth inning for Minnesota Crookston. Finberg advanced to third base on a passed ball. Griffin Fussey (R-Soph., Ham Lake) doubled to right-center field allowing Finberg to score giving the Golden Eagles their first run of the game as Sioux Falls’ lead was trimmed to 8-1 after five innings. In the top of the sixth inning, the Cougars used a walk and two hits to take their eight-run lead back pushing in front 9-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Sioux Falls added one more run in the seventh inning to close out a convincing 10-1 win in game one. “Defense and walks,” summarized UMC head coach Steve Gust. “I mean holy smokes if you’re going to allow that many walks (8) and that many errors (6)you better be really good offensively and we weren’t. We weren’t good offensively; we weren’t good defensively, we didn’t hold runners, we gave them free passes, and that’s what you get.”

For UMC
Griffin Fussy – 1-2, RBI, 2B
Scott Finberg – 1-2, run, 2B, walk

GAME TWO – Sioux Falls kept the first inning alive after two-straight outs to open the game before a walk and a hit put two men on for the Cougars. A two-out double to right field plated the first two runs of the game giving USF a 2-0 lead. Bryce Jorgenson (Jr., Thunder Bay, Ontario) reached on an error to start the bottom of the first inning. A groundout moved Jorgenson over to second base before he stole third base. An errant throw by the Cougars’ catcher allowed Jorgenson to score from third base cutting UMC’s deficit down to 2-1 after one inning. Scott Finberg (Jr., Stillwater) homered to left field for the Golden Eagles in the bottom of the second inning tying the game at 2-2 after two innings. Nate Albrecht (Sr., Wahpeton, ND) settled in on the mound for Minnesota Crookston after allowing two runs in the first inning, not allowing another run through the next five innings. In the top of the seventh inning, the Cougars regained the lead. An error by UMC’s shortstop put a runner on first base before a groundout moved the runner into scoring position. Another middle infield error, this one by the second baseman allowed the Cougars’ runner to score from third base giving Sioux Falls a 3-2 lead heading into the seventh inning stretch.

Minnesota Crookston proved unable to rally in the final three innings, failing to score after the second inning and falling 3-2. “No adjustments,” said Gust explaining the lack of offensive production. “We got up there the same way all the time. We’re capable of some really good things offensively, but if we’re feeling sorry for ourselves because of the last at-bat and not doing the little things and making adjustments when we need, that’s going to happen. We’ve got to be tougher. Our first game at home, you’d think we’d come out with better approaches, better adjustments. Everywhere, we weren’t really good on the mound, we were terrible defensively, we weren’t good offensively and that’s what you get when you’re not good anywhere.”

Minnesota Crookston falls to 14-10 overall and 7-3 in NSIC play. The Golden Eagles return to the diamond on Saturday when UMC hosts Upper Iowa for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. Sioux Falls improves to 6-22 overall and 4-11 in conference play.

For UMC
Scott Finberg – 1-3, HR, RBI, run