Despite recording eight more hits over the two games on Saturday afternoon (28-20), the University of Minnesota Duluth (21-22, 16-15 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) fell to the University of Minnesota Crookston (20-24, 14-18 NSIC) twice in the first half of a four-game series in Crookston, Minn.

UMC 7, UMD 4

Minnesota Crookston jumped on the Bulldogs for an early 2-0 lead and held off the visitors the remainder of the game, leading all seven innings. The Golden Eagles notched a pair of runs off of junior Marcus Frederickson (L, 2-1) in the first frame and consistently tacked on runs over the first five innings to stymie a UMD comeback attempt.

The Bulldogs picked up their first run of the game in the second inning on an error off the bat of sophomore first baseman Tyler Wojciechowski to cut the deficit to just one run, but UMC responded with three more runs in the bottom half of the inning to extend its lead to 5-1. UMD would put together a two-run third inning on a 2-RBI single by Wojciechowski, before pulling within one run in the fourth inning when senior outfielder Grant Farley singled to drive in senior catcher Marco Lucarelli.

Junior Tyler Midas and Farley each posted two hits in four tries for the Bulldogs in game one, while four other players notched a crooked number in the hit column to combine for eight total hits.

Frederickson pitched five innings while allowing seven runs (four earned) before being relieved by sophomore Adam Hallberg and senior Colton Sinning, who combined for a scoreless sixth inning.

UMC 8, UMD 7 (11 innings)

Once again, the Golden Eagles put runs on the board in the opening inning, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead. UMD eventually fought back to take a 6-2 lead in the sixth inning, but a rally by Minnesota Crookston forced extra innings before UMC walked-off with a sacrifice fly in the 11th inning.

Senior third baseman Kyle Hoffman continued his hot-hitting by recording a 4-for-6 performance and scoring a run to lead the Bulldogs in the hit column. Also continuing on his recent success at the plate, senior shortstop Brian Pierce tallied three hits in six at bats, while Farley added three hits of his own in seven tries and driving in one run.

Farley, Wojciechowski, and Midas all homered in the game to add to the UMD hit total. Sophomore Ben Danielson picked up an RBI single in the sixth inning to give the Bulldogs their largest lead of the afternoon at 6-2, but the Golden Eagles quickly scored four runs in the sixth and seventh frame to even up the score.

Neither team could scratch across a run through the eight and ninth innings, but Wojciechowski broke the tie in the top of the tenth inning on his home run. UMC responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning before junior outfielder Scott Mortenson sent the home team home with a walk-off win in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly line drive to center field.

Freshman southpaw Rece Dietrich garnered the start on the mound for UMD, tossing 5.2 innings with four earned runs allowed. Junior Jalen Busker was efficient out of the bullpen with three innings of scoreless, one-hit ball, but Minnesota Crookston picked up the winning run off of Sinning (2-2) to hand the senior his second loss of the season.

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The Bulldogs and Golden Eagles will conclude their four-game series tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch schedule for noon.