Crookston, Minn. – Despite a tough start to the 3-game NSIC series yesterday afternoon, Northern State battled Minnesota Crookston to a pair of 1-run games but was unfortunately on the losing end of the 2-1 and 3-2 decisions. The Monday doubleheader opened with a pitcher's dual as the teams combined for only five hits in game one, and in another low-scoring affair the Golden Eagles earned the series sweep on a walk-off in game two.
 
THE QUICK DETAILS
Final Score Game 1: NSU 1, UMC 2
Final Score Game 2: NSU 2, UMC 3
Records: NSU 10-23 (5-17 NSIC), UMC 29-15 (19-7 NSIC)
Attendance: 157
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1

• Reece Ragatz got the Wolves on the scoreboard first in the top of the first inning with an RBI double to right field scoring Karson Hesser who reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning, making the score 1-0 in favor of NSU early on
• Michael Chevalier was in control of the game on the mound as he held the Golden Eagles scoreless through the first four innings of play, sending UMC 3-up, 3-down in bottom of the first and fourth innings
• With only their third and final hit of the contest, Minnesota Crookston secured the win with a go-ahead 2-run homerun to right field in the bottom of the fifth inning
• Chevalier (4-4) suffered the loss in his tenth start of the season, pitching 5.0 innings in the contest and throwing five strikeouts while only allowing three hits
• Northern State scored their one run off two hits and did not commit an error defensively

NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS – GAME 1
Austin Portner: 1-for-2, 1 walk, 1 stolen base
Reece Ragatz: 1-for-3, 1 double, 1 RBI
Michael Chevalier: 5.0 innings pitched, 5 strikeouts
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2

• Minnesota Crookston was the first to put a pair of runs up on the scoreboard in game two as a 2-run homerun to right field gave UMC the 2-0 lead after three innings of play
• After managing only three hits in the first six innings, Northern State was able to tie the game at two off three hits in the top of the seventh inning
• An RBI double to left field by Connor Knecht brought the Wolves within one run as he brought home Kai Brisk who got the inning started with a leadoff single, and in the next at-bat Jordan DeMarce hit a sacrifice fly to right field which allowed Jackson Meyer to tag up and cross home plate to even the score at two runs apiece
• Max Otto hit his stride on the mound midway through the game as he held Crookston without a hit from the bottom of the fifth through the bottom of the eighth, including three consecutive 3-up, 3-down innings in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings
• UMC clinched the win in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the ninth inning as a double to right field brought home the winning run
• Otto (0-7) pitched his third complete game of the season in his ninth start of the season on the mound, throwing 8.2 innings with nine strikeouts in the contest
• Northern State scored their two runs off seven hits and did not commit an error defensively

NORTHERN STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS – GAME 2
Jack Paulson: 2-for-4
Jackson Meyer: 2-for-4, 1 run scored
Max Otto: 8.2 innings pitched, nine strikeouts
 
UP NEXT
With the previously announced site reversal of Wednesday's NSIC doubleheader with UMary, the Wolves will now travel to face the Marauders in Bismarck, North Dakota. First pitch times for the doubleheader are scheduled for 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark.