Northern State blasted six home runs, five triples and 14 doubles while tallying 70 runs over four games to complete a four-game sweep against Minnesota-Crookston.
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference series wrapped up Monday afternoon. The four-game sweep lifts NSU to 13-11 overall and 6-4 in NSIC play, while Crookston slipped to 0-27 on the season and 0-14 in league action.
The Wolves were paced by the power hitting of Maurice Rodriguez and Brent Lawrence. Rodriguez blasted three home runs and drove in 13 runs on 10-of-15 hitting at the plate. Lawrence tallied three of the Wolves' five triples in the series and drove in eight more runs. All told, six players tallied six or more RBI and six more crossed the plate at least eight times in the four-game set.
After a more conventional 5-3 win in Monday's opener with the majority of the production coming from the top of the order, the lineup was back in full force in the finale. Eight of the nine position players to start the game recorded at least one hit, while all nine starters scored at least one run. NSU jumped out to an early 14-4 lead, but a six-run sixth brought the Golden Eagles back to within four at 14-10.
The Wolves countered with two runs in both the seventh and eighth innings and four in the ninth to re-distance themselves and seal the win.
Starting pitchers Sean Winslow, Clint Manzo, Nathan Nietfeld and Kassidy Gaines each picked up wins on the mound. Adam Thompson picked up the save in Game 3.
The Wolves are slated to take on in-state rivals Sioux Falls on Wednesday and Augustana on Saturday and Sunday. Game times and locations will be determined.
NSU|0032000-584
Crookston|0003000-273
Nathan Nietfeld, Adam Thompson (7) and Buddy Traxler; J.C. Crane and Colt Haight. 2B - NSU, Brent Lawrence, Cameron Lehner, Derek Tymesen. 3B - Crookston, Matt Korte.
NSU|252140224-22202
Crookston|003016010-11152
Kassidy Gaines, Kris Keating (6), John Eckstein (6), Andrew Crisman (6) and Traxler; Jon Mittag, R. Navratil (4), Buttmore (6), R. Haggstrom (7) and Haight, J. Friday. 2B - NSU, Tymesen, Clayton Nutting; Crookston, Friday, Espinoza. 3B - NSU, Lawrence; Crookston, Korte. HR - NSU, Tymesen, Maurice Rodriquez.