University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) Baseball pitcher Jake Dykhoff has solidified himself as the staff’s Ace posting a 5-2 record this season in 49.2 IP while allowing just 36 hits with an ERA of 1.45. The 6’0” 195 lbs. RHP has also struck out 58 while walking only 10 hitters this season, and opponents are hitting a mere .208 against the Redshirt Junior.
It should come as no surprise, as Dykhoff has always been a great athlete. In High School at Wadena-Deer Creek, he was a three-sport athlete playing Baseball, Hockey, and Football. On the diamond, he played for his uncle Kyle Dykhoff where he was a Mr. Baseball Award finalist in 2018 during his senior season. While on the mound, he also shattered the school’s record books as the all-time wins leader (24), and with innings pitched (215), and strikeouts (343). He was a solid two-way player and did plenty at the plate, as he holds the Wadena-Deer Creek Baseball record for hits (156), doubles (44), and rbi’s (96).
Baseball has always held a special place in his heart, as it’s something that has been instilled in him from a very young age. “My dad is a big part of it, but it starts with my grandpa and great uncle,” said Jake Dykhoff. “They didn’t have the opportunity to play baseball growing up and when they had families of their own, they told them they were going to play. I’ve always had my brothers in the yard as well and we grew up playing together and it’s a game we’ve always loved. It’s a family tradition and we’re keeping it going.”
Coming out of High School, Jake ended up playing at Minnesota State Community and Technical College with his brother Justin Dykhoff. “That opportunity got cut short because of COVID-19, which was too bad because not many people get that opportunity to play with their brothers, especially at this level,” said Jake Dykhoff. “My younger brother is actually coming to UMC next year, and I am trying to get my other brother to come back for one more year. It would be something very special if it happened.”
Eventually, Dykhoff decided UMC was his next stop, and he would be pitching for the Golden Eagles. His now Head Coach Steve Gust says Jake was always a guy they had on their radar. “I’ve known Jake (Dykhoff) for a long time and saw him pitching while he was growing up,” said UMC Head Baseball Coach Steve Gust. “I stayed on him, and we actually got him during the covid year. If COVID-19 had never happened we may not have got him because he probably would’ve garnered more interest from other schools. I think this has been a great fit for us and for Jake, he has been thriving at this school in a lot of different ways. It’s been a smooth transition.”
Dykhoff would agree with his coach’s comments about the transition. “It’s been a great two years and I feel like I get along with all of the guys really well,” said Jake Dykoff. “It is a big family, and it really feels that way. You’re playing for the guy next to you and we all just want to see the program succeed.”
Dykhoff was awarded last season as a 2021 All-NSIC Second Team selection with a 5-1 record and 3.44 ERA while notching 79 strikeouts in 55.0 innings pitched. Between this year and last year, the Wadena-Deer Creek product has had numerous performances worth noting and discussing, however, none of them are his favorite memory as Golden Eagle. “It wasn’t my best outing by any means but the first playoff game in Minot last year where we scored some runs late and won definitely sticks out,” said Jake Dykhoff. “That was the first time we as a program have advanced in the playoffs in a long time so that was special to be a part of.”
Coach Gust says it’s Dykhoff’s bulldog mentality as a pitcher that makes him special. “He is so ultra-competitive and he’s got such great stuff but his mentality is what makes him stand out,” said UMC Head Baseball Coach Steve Gust. “We want all our pitchers to have that bulldog mentality and he has that.”
Dykhoff has a solid fastball, and an improved changeup, but when asked how he prefers to get hitters out, he had a quick answer. “I like setting hitters up with my slider,” said Jake Dykhoff. “My favorite thing about pitching is making hitters look silly and when you can get a fastball by them and then come back with that and execute it’s a great feeling.”
Dykhoff also believes the changeup has played a big part in his success on the mound. “Having that third pitch in a hitter’s mind is huge and that’s something I’ve been working on for years,” said Jake Dykhoff. “Some days you have it down, and then other days you don’t. When it’s working for me, it elevates my game to the next level.”
His Head Coach agreed that his changeup is his most dynamic pitch. “I would say he’s got a very solid fastball, a great slider, and an improved changeup,” said UMC Baseball Head Coach Steve Gust. “He’s a strike-thrower which is nice, but he’s been working on that changeup a lot and that’s really become a great pitch for him and with his competitiveness, he stands out.”
Listed as a Redshirt Junior for this season, Dykhoff will have another year of eligibility to compete for UMC next spring. Eventually, his time at the college level will come to an end, but that doesn’t necessarily mean his playing days will. For Dykhoff playing at the highest level possible has always been his dream. “Playing at the next level and potentially going to the minor leagues or even the next step from that has always been my goal,” said Jake Dykhoff. “I want to keep going and competing at the highest level until it’s time to hang up the cleats.”
According to Coach Gust, it sounds like playing at the next level is a real possibility for the standout pitcher. “He is one of the best pitchers to ever put on a UMC uniform and he still has the rest of this season and all of next season,” said UMC Head Coach Steve Gust. “We have had about 12 scouts looking at him and he is certainly a guy that can play at the next level and we want to do whatever we can to help get him there. I don’t know if he would necessarily get drafted this year, but if he continues to do what he’s done here for us, he will be pitching after he hangs up the Golden Eagle uniform.”
While at UMC though, and before that next step even comes to the table, Dykhoff said he has one clear goal in mind before he wraps up his time in Crookston. “Moving on from the NSIC and winning the conference tournament is absolutely my hope,” said Dykhoff. “I want to win a championship and keep moving on. I couldn’t care less about individual stats; I just want us as a team to keep moving forward and achieve our goals. Our pitching is in place to win a championship and our hitting still hasn’t peaked yet so when it does, we will be in a great position and other teams will need to watch out.”
Coach Gust says one thing will always stick out about his Junior Ace. “He has been so consistent for us this season,” said UMC Baseball Head Coach Steve Gust. “Everyone does have a bad outing at some point but I wouldn’t be shocked if he managed to go this season without one. On and off the field you get consistency from him and because of that, we’ve gotten great results from him during his time here. He is the kind of player that as a coach, you know he’s going to work his hardest and try and do whatever he can to get the job done. This has been a great fit, and we’re happy to have him anchor our staff.”
