MINOT, N.D. – It's a big week for the Beavers with the season quickly winding down.
With 10 games left, the race to the 8-team NSIC Tournament is heating up and Thursday could be a possible postseason preview as Minot State plays a doubleheader at Minnesota Crookston starting at 1:30 p.m.
A big day of action as the Beavers (24-12 overall, 15-9 NSIC) sit two games back of the Golden Eagles (29-15, 19-7) in the NSIC standings. And while the Golden Eagles have to worry about Minot State catching them, they also sit two games back of league leader Minnesota State, Mankato with a 3-game series this weekend on tap for those two teams.
So, Thursday's action will have a big impact on the potential field for the NSIC Tournament held May 10-13 in Bismarck, N.D.
For Minot State, the day is less about postseason plans and all about taking things one pitch at a time against a tough Minnesota Crookston squad that is fourth in the NSIC in batting average, hitting at a .312 clip, and second in home runs with 64 – second only to Minot State with 70.
But what has made the Golden Eagles a regular-season title contender is combining that stout offense with a pitching staff that is one of the NSIC's best, as well, as Minnesota Crookston is No. 2 in ERA at 4.27, in total strikeouts with 341, and in opponent batting average at .252.
That pitching staff will be challenged by the big-swinging Beavers who are second in the NSIC in batting average (.323), and No. 11 in the nation in total home runs.
And while the Beavers might not be the top team in ERA, Minot State's staff still has been pretty darn good with a 5.71 ERA (6
th), along with 303 strikeouts and an opposing .252 batting average, both of which rank 4
th in the NSIC.
For Minnesota Crookston, Junior third baseman Mike Hallquist and junior outfielder Jake Hjelle provided a potent one-two punch for the Golden Eagles offense as Hallquist leads the NSIC in runs scored (55), home runs (16), and on-base percentage(.527), and is No. 2 in batting average (.411) and RBIs (52), while Hjelle leads the league in RBIs (54), is second in home runs (14), and ninth in batting average .378.
On the mound, senior lefty Alex Koep has been stellar with league-bests in ERA (2.52) and opposing batting average (.166), while racking up a 6-1 record.
Junior righty Jake Osowski matches that 6-1 record and is No. 7 in the league in ERA (3.12).
While the Golden Eagles boast two big boppers and two top arms, the Beavers counter with a lineup filled with tough outs with eight players hitting over .300, led by junior first baseman
Gunnar Kozlowitz (.392), senior second baseman
Derek Kay (.369), and junior outfielder
Brent Riddle (.363).
While those three lead a team hitting for a high average, they also are part of the long-ball onslaught as Kay leads the Beavers with 13 homers and 46 RBIs, Kozlowitz has 11 home runs and 39 RBIs, and Riddle has hit 8 dingers and has driven in 35.
Add in 12 home runs each for
Mark Ossanna (.344), and
Javier Gutierrez (.319), and 6 more for
Matt Malone (.353), and almost every Beaver who steps to the plate is a threat to punish opposing pitching.
As for the Minot State pitchers, it's been a balanced effort on the hill led by
Bryant Bagshaw, who is 6-1 with a 4.12 ERA, while Trevyon Badger (2-1, 5.79),
Gage Yost (3-2, 5.97), and
Craig Schmich (4-2, 6.02) have done their part as top-notch starters, as well.
Following Thursday's tilts, the Beavers return home to Corbett Field to host in-state rival the University of Mary for three games, a Saturday doubleheader starting at 1:30 p.m., and a Sunday single game at noon.
The Marauders come in hitting .298 with the third-most home runs in the NSIC at 58.
While the offense has been strong for Mary, pitching has struggled with an 8.18 ERA, which is 13
th in the league, and opponents hitting .327 against the Marauders, which also is 13
th in the NSIC.
Individually, senior infielder Derek Shoen has been the biggest offensive threat for the Marauders as he is 8th in the NSIC in average (.387), ninth in RBIs (39), and 10th in home runs (10).
