Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 BISMARCK, N.D. – Just three days after an impressive performance against the nation's second ranked team, righthander Jake Johnson came back to set a personal career-high in strikeouts in a stellar relief outing But just like Brad Meyer's start in the opening game, the University of Mary was unable to take advantage of solid pitching in a pair of home Northern Sun losses to the University of Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles swooped in to take the opener 4-2 and completed the four game series sweep with a 5-2 victory in the getaway game.
 
The Marauders (6-30, 4-19 NSIC) jumped out to a fast start in the opener. Tom Imholte and Jason Shaul, the first two U-Mary hitters, both reached base on errors and eventually scored. Connor Doll walked with the based loaded to force home Imholte. Shaul crossed the plate when Mason Schiff was struck by a pitch with the bases full.   
 
Meyer escaped a serious jam in the second. After singles surrounding a hit batter filled the bases with Golden Eagles (22-13, 15-6) and no outs, Meyer induced a ground ball directly at Schiff to start a double play. UMC scored a run on the twin killing to trail 2-1.
 
With Meyer and UMC pitcher Jarad Nelson keeping both offenses in check, the Marauders maintained their advantage until the fifth inning. After a one out double by Riley Thomson, a two-out Jason Angelo double tied the game. Designated hitter Kenney Perez gave UMC a 3-2 lead on a single through the left side, scoring Angelo. UMC tacked on one more in the seventh on a run-scoring bunt by Angelo.
 
In every inning but the sixth, when the squad went down in order, the Marauders had a runner reach base. The seventh was no exception. Imholte doubled with one out but U-Mary couldn't find a way to multiply base runners.
 
Meyer went six innings and gave up three runs, all earned. The junior struck out four, allowed eight hits and walked one.
 
Nelson held the Marauders to three hits and two walks in a seven inning complete game. He struck out three and both runs were unearned.
 
Reed Hjelle was 3-for-3 for UMC and Ethan Mushitz and Perez both had two hits.
 
Johnson dominated game two but his efforts came too late for the Marauders.
 
Minnesota Crookston opened the scoring with two runs in the third. After the leadoff hitter walked to start the fourth and Connor Haight followed with a two-run home run, Johnson was summoned from the bullpen.
 
Among the nation's leaders this season in ERA, WHIP and fewest hits allowed per inning, Johnson quickly shut down the UMC attack. Despite walking two hitters in the fourth and giving up a walk and a hit in the fifth, he kept the Golden Eagles off the board by recording all six outs in those two innings by strikeout.
 
After allowing a one out single and walk in the sixth, Johnson retired nine of the next ten hitters he faced, including striking out the side in the eighth.
 
At the same time Johnson was rolling for the Marauders, Golden Eagles starter Nolan Wahlberg kept U-Mary's offense in check. After Doll scored on a Drew Feuerbach double in the fourth to get the Marauders within 4-1, Wahlberg allowed just one hit in the next three innings.
 
With time running out, the Marauders threatened the status quo in the eighth with a two-out rally. After singles by Doll and Feuerbach, Will Pettener rocketed a shot off Angelo at third base to bring home Doll on a run-scoring single. Wahlberg induced the next Marauders hitter to tap out to the mound, ending the rally.
 
Angelo extended the UMC lead with a solo home run to left off Johnson in the ninth, the only run he allowed in relief.
 
As in the first game, Imholte doubled with one out to try and spark a rally in the Marauders last at bats, but the results remained the same as no one joined him on base.
 
In six innings of work, Johnson struck out ten and walked four. He allowed four hits and one run.
 
Doll was 2-for-3 and scored twice. Feuerbach finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
 
Wahlberg pitched a complete game for UMC, striking out eight in the process. He gave up two runs on eight hits and no walks.
 
Angelo finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
 
The Marauders next visit Minot State University for a Northern Sun doubleheader on Wednesday, April 27. The game time has shifted to 4 p.m. to help Marauders student-athletes miss less class time during finals week.
 
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