The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball program announced the signing of six student-athletes for the 2022 signing class. The Golden Eagles have signed Blake Gulden (LHP, 6-2 190, Maple Grove, Minn./Century College), Nate Grafsgaard (RHP, 6-0 180, Devils Lake, N.D./Lake Region State College), Mike Hallquist (2B, 5-10 180, Fargo, N.D./Bismarck State College), Caden Headlee (OF/LHP, Fargo, N.D./Bismarck State College), Austin McClure (RHP, 6-0 205, Adelaide, South Australia/Lake Region State), and Christian Norby (OF, 6-3 230, Ashby, Minn./Minnesota State C.T.C.).
The six signees join the nine players the Golden Eagles signed in November. They join Joey Connelly (LHP, 5-9 160, Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie H.S.), Eli Denisen (LHP, 6-0 185, Winona, Minn./Winona H.S.), Joshua Dykhoff (RHP/UT, 6-2 210, Wadena, Minn./Wadena-Deer Creek H.S.), Jack Jahnke (LHP, 6-0 175, Grand Forks, N.D./Grand Forks Central H.S.), Jonah Norman (C/IF, 5-10 165, Winnipeg, Manitoba/St. Paul’s H.S.), Michael Rivera (RHP, 6-01 170, Victoria, Minn./Minnetonka H.S.), Kobe Senn (3B, 5-10 190, Fargo, N.D./Iowa Central C.C.), Danny Wensloff (OF/RHP, 6-1 195, Roseau, Minn./Itasca C.C.), and Isaac Wensloff (RHP/UT, 6-1 185, Roseau, Minn./Roseau H.S.). Senn is already on campus as a mid-year transfer.
“Our latest signees are loaded with talent and ability,” said Head Coach Steve Gust. “We are fortunate to sign these junior college kids so early in the process. We believe they will have big years for their respective schools. It will be nice to see how they progress because we believe they will be great student-athletes for us down the road. They complement our earlier signees so well. Together, it is one of the best classes of recruits that we have signed.”
Minnesota Crookston is coming off a historic run during the 2021 season. The Golden Eagles posted their best winning percentage with a mark of 26-12 (18-10 NSIC) during the 2021 slate. UMC advanced to the final four of the NSIC Tournament for the first time in program history, falling one game shy of the NSIC Championship game. The Golden Eagles received their first-ever ranking, reaching as high as No. 19 during the 2021 season. Crookston returns a strong core from the 2021 squad as they look to build on the success of recent teams. The Golden Eagles have made it to the NSIC Tournament four times in the last seven seasons. During that stretch under Head Coach Steve Gust, the Golden Eagles have won 149 games.
Blake Gulden (LHP, 6-2 190, Maple Grove, Minn./Century College)
As a freshman for the Wood Ducks, Gulden went 3-2 with a 6.08 ERA in 23.2 innings pitched. He struck out 18 and walked 15. He pitched three innings of shutout baseball against Mesabi Range C.C. Gulden also picked up wins over Anoka-Ramsey C.C. and Rochester C.T.C.
Gulden is planning to major in exercise science at Minnesota Crookston. He is the son of Paul and Teresa Gulden. His dad played baseball at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
“Blake will immediately give us quality left-handed pitching depth,” Gust stated. “He projects as a starter but can pitch out of the bullpen if needed. He will continue to develop as a quality pitcher. He will be fun to follow in his last season at Century. I would expect him to have a big year and come to Crookston and do well in whatever role we need from him.”
Nate Grafsgaard (RHP, 6-0 180, Devils Lake, N.D./Lake Region State College)
Grafsgaard is a teammate at Lake Region State with fellow signee Austin McClure. He is coached at Lake Region State by former Golden Eagles Jonathan Lund and Jayden Grover. As a freshman, he posted a 1-0 mark in 13 appearances out of the bullpen with a 6.33 ERA and 25 strikeouts. His win came against Jamestown’s junior varsity squad in 2021.
He plans to major in natural resources at UMC. He is the son of Mike and Lisa Grafsgaard. Grafsgaard has been a member of the Dean’s List and President’s List.
“Nate is a very intriguing pitcher,” Gust stated. “He isn’t overpowering but he has a chance to be a solid pitcher. He has a big upside and we hope to bring it out of him. His development will be fun to watch.”
Mike Hallquist (2B, 5-10 180, Fargo, N.D./Bismarck State College)
Hallquist is teammates at Bismarck State College with fellow signee Caden Headlee. He has been an all-academic performer at the junior college level. He is also an E-sports athlete. As a freshman for the Mystics, he appeared in 37 games and hit .407 with eight home runs, 28 RBIs, had 53 runs scored, and stole five bases. Hallquist went 4-of-5 at Dickinson State University in 2021. He was 3-of-5 in a 21-6 win over Lake Region State College. Hallquist went 4-of-6 in a 16-12 victory over Miles Community College.
He is the son of Matt and Deb Hallquist. Hallquist plans to major in software engineering at Crookston. His mother Deb played soccer at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn.
“As a middle infielder, Mike is exactly what we needed in this recruiting class,” Gust said. “He is an all-around fundamentally sound player and has good tools. We expect him to compete for a starting spot from day one. He has a chance to be really good both on and off the field.”
Caden Headlee (OF/LHP, Fargo, N.D./Bismarck State College)
Headlee is teammates at Bismarck State College with fellow signee Mike Hallquist. He appeared in 35 games in the field as a freshman. Headlee hit .449 with two home runs, 42 RBIs, 32 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases. He went 4-of-4 in a 14-1 win at Lake Region State College. Headlee was 3-of-3 at the plate in a 24-4 victory over North Dakota State College of Science. He went 3-of-5 in a 16-12 victory over Miles Community College. AS a pitcher, he made two appearances with one strikeout.
“Caden is a great athlete that comes from great legion and junior college programs,” Gust remarked. “He can run, hit and play defense at high levels. He also competes at a high level and is a proven winner. We expect big things from Caden and expect him both on the field and in the classroom.”
Austin McClure (RHP, 6-0 205, Adelaide, South Australia/Lake Region State College)
McClure is teammates at Lake Region State College with Nate Grafsgaard. He has been coached at the junior college level by former Golden Eagles Jonathan Lund and Jayden Grover. In 2021, McClure appeared in 37.2 innings pitched with 47 strikeouts. He made three starts. He appeared in three innings with three strikeouts against the Jamestown junior varsity squad. He was a First Team All-Academic All-American.
He is the son of John and Dodie McClure. McClure plans to major in accounting at UMN Crookston.
“We love the passion and desire that Austin displayed on his campus visit,” Gust stated. “He has a desire to be the best and wants to develop here. He has a lot of upside as a right handed pitcher and we will look at Austin to give us depth.”
Christian Norby (OF, 6-3 230, Ashby, Minn./Minnesota State C.T.C.)
Norby hit .340 during the 2021 season with eight home runs, 28 RBIs, and 21 runs scored. He appeared in 35 games as a sophomore. Norby posted a .448 on-base percentage during the 2021 season. In 2020, Norby played in just eight games with one run scored and one RBI.
He is the son of Jim and Kandace Norby. Norby is undecided on his major. His mother Kandace played softball and basketball at Minnesota State C.T.C. His brother Jaden Norby currently competes for the football team at the University of North Dakota. He played football, basketball and baseball at Ashby. Norby has competed in basketball and baseball at Minnesota State C.T.C.
“Christian is a great athlete and an even better student,” Gust said. “He has an athletic build and some tools that we were looking for in our recruiting class. He is still developing as a player and has the work ethic to reach his potential. Christian has a chance to be very good.”
