UMC Golden Eagle News Archive:
June 6, 2006 - July 1, 2009

Crookston, Minn.) – The University of Minnesota, Crookston Baseball team opens the 2008 season on Thursday, February 28 with a twinbill against Northland College of Ashland, Wis. in Minneapolis, Minn. The first pitch is scheduled for 10:00 pm at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

The Golden Eagles will have a new face in the dugout this season with first-year head coach Chris Vito taking over for long-time U of M, Crookston mentor Steve Olson.

U of M, Crookston looks for solid play in their season opener. “It’s the season opener for both teams, and I expect a lot of nerves and excitement,” says Coach Vito. “Coach (Eric) Grice does a great job with his team (Northland). We are going to need solid play defensively and good pitching along with timely hitting. If we get a combination of those three, we will have a chance to be successful.”

Paul Krebs (Jr, C/RHP, Little Falls, Minn.) and Beau Mertens (Sr, 1B/RHP, Motley, Minn.) will start on the hill in games one and two respectively. Krebs is new to the program having transferred from Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, Minn. while Mertens is in his second season with the Golden Eagles after transferring in from Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minn.

The Golden Eagles are coming off a tough 2007 campaign which saw them play extremely hard but go winless. The Lumberjacks finished the 2007 season with a record 10-23 and a 6-12 record in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC).

The excitement of the Golden Eagles could not be higher. “We’ve been in the gym for over six weeks,” says Coach Vito. “The last few practices, I have really started to notice a different intensity. The kids are definitely ready to play.”

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Golden Eagle Hockey is a member of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

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