ST. PAUL – The University of Northwestern Eagles (13-15, 3-1 UMAC) swept the North Central University Rams (1-18, 0-6 UMAC) on Monday, 8-7, in 11 innings in game one before topping the visitors 7-5 in game two.

In game one, the Rams jumped out to a lead after a three-run first inning.  Six of their first seven batters reached base and then Jake Franzen, who started the game for the Eagles, got out of the jam.  The Rams added two more runs in the fourth and were out to a 5-0 lead, while their starter, Bryce Riege, had yet to allow a hit.

The Eagles got their first hit after Ryan Sutterer (Anoka, Minn./Anoka ) knocked a single in the bottom of the sixth. Reinhart hit a sacrifice fly to score Aaron Krahn (Roseau, Minn./Roseau) and the Eagles were on the board.

In the bottom of the eighth, with the Eagles still trailing 5-1, Braxton Lindow (Cannon Falls, Minn./Cannon Falls) singled and Ryan Sutterer (Anoka, Minn./Anoka ) singled Lindow home and then Brett Reinhart (Chanhassen, Minn./Southwest Christian) contributed his second sac fly of the day to score Aaron Krahn (Roseau, Minn./Roseau) to make it 5-3.

In the top of the ninth, Jake Franzen allowed two more runs to make it 7-3 Rams.  In the bottom of the frame, Max Barthel (Farmington, Minn./Farmington) led off with a walk and then Nick Pilz (Stacy, Minn./North Branch) reached on an error. David Beer (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) hit a sacrifice fly and then Aaron Krahn (Roseau, Minn./Roseau) hit a two-out 3-2 pitch over the left field fence to make it 7-6 Rams.  Ryan Sutterer (Anoka, Minn./Anoka ) followed with his own 0-2 home run to tie the score. 

In the bottom of the 10th, Nathan Ehnstrom (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) led off with a single and then advanced to second on an error.  He was left stranded at second, though, and the contest heading to the 11th. In the bottom of the 11th, David Beer (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) led off with a walk.  Braxton Lindow (Cannon Falls, Minn./Cannon Falls) sacrificed him to second before Ryan Sutterer (Anoka, Minn./Anoka ) was intentionally walked to make it first and second with two outs for Brett Reinhart (Chanhassen, Minn./Southwest Christian).  Reinhart singled to left field and David Beer (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) raced around to score to win the game for the Eagles.

Jake Franzen pitched nine innings and gave up five earned runs and then Nick Pilz (Stacy, Minn./North Branch) came in to pitch the final two innings and got the win.

In game two, the Rams also took a 1-0 lead, but then the Eagles quickly tied it up in the bottom of the frame.  Braxton Lindow (Cannon Falls, Minn./Cannon Falls) singled to start the game, Aaron Krahn (Roseau, Minn./Roseau) was hit by a pitch, Ryan Sutterer (Anoka, Minn./Anoka ) sacrificed them to second and third and then Brett Reinhart (Chanhassen, Minn./Southwest Christian) contributed his third sacrifice fly of the day.

The Eagles then took a 3-1 lead in the Third and then added two more in the Fourth.  In the third, Nathan Ehnstrom (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) singled and then scored on Cedric Cavazos (Chicago, Ill./Buffalo Grove)'s sacrifice.  David Beer (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) then singled home Carter Michaelson (South St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul) and the Eagles had their 3-1 lead.  In the Fourth, Nathan Ehnstrom (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) doubled to score Ryan Sutterer (Anoka, Minn./Anoka ) and Brett Reinhart (Chanhassen, Minn./Southwest Christian) to give the Eagles a 5-1 lead.

The Rams tied the game in the top of the fifth, but then the Eagles scored two more runs off a Carter Michaelson (South St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul) double to centerfield, which plated Ryan Sutterer (Anoka, Minn./Anoka ) and Aaron Krahn (Roseau, Minn./Roseau) to give the Eagles the 7-5 lead and they never looked back. 

Henry Waage (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria) got the start and pitched five innings.  Carter Michaelson (South St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul) got the win after pitching three shutout innings and then Ryan Sutterer (Anoka, Minn./Anoka ) got his fourth save of the year.

The hitting stars of the day were Aaron Krahn (Roseau, Minn./Roseau) who hit his second homerun of the season and was hit four times in the second game.  Sutterer had five hits on the day and Reinhart, Ehnstrom, and Michaelson each had three hits.

The Eagles are next at home on Wednesday against Bethany Lutheran College.  First pitch of game one is at 4 p.m. Fans can find more information on the baseball program at www.unweagles.com.