MANKATO, Minn. – The opening game of the 2025 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament provided all the drama you could ask for, as third-seeded University of Northwestern and second-seeded Crown College played for the fourth consecutive game after closing their respective regular seasons against one another last weekend. The bout featured three lead changes and the tying run in the bottom of the ninth came within 90 feet of scoring, but in the end, Northwestern was able to edge out an 8-7, come-from-behind win to avenge the regular season series loss and position itself in the winner's bracket heading into Friday.
Things looked promising for the Eagles in the top of the first inning as
Aaron Severson (Columbia Heights, Minn./Columbia Heights) and
Benji Bruce (Andover, Minn./Maranatha Christian) started the game with a double and a single, respectively, but the next three batters all went down in order. UNW was able to do some damage in the second, however, thanks to a pair of RBI doubles from
Alex Klein (Olathe, Kans./Olathe Northwest) and Severson. The 2-0 lead did not last long, though, as Crown hit back-to-back home runs to begin the bottom of the second inning on its way to four runs and a 4-2 lead.
The Polars added another run in the third inning before Northwestern was able to counter in the top of the fifth. Bruce and
Mark Bligh (Sydney, Australia/Magdalene Catholic College) hit consecutive singles to lead off the inning, then
Christian Raya (Moline, Ill./Moline) delivered a one-out single to plate Bruce and trim the deficit to 5-3. The Eagles still had runners on first and second with one out, but a double play ended the inning.
Crown went to its bullpen in the top of the seventh inning, and UNW took advantage. Bligh and
Gabriel Kennedy (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) were both hit by pitches to begin the inning, then Raya blasted a double over the left fielder's head to score Bligh. Consecutive sacrifice flies by
Beau Rabey (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) and Klein made it 6-5 as the Northwestern contingent at ISG Field howled in approval.
The Polars were able to even the game at six-apiece in the eighth inning after a miscommunication on a pop fly in foul territory allowed the inning to extend, setting the table for a dramatic final frame in the opening game of the conference tournament. The veteran-laden Eagles were up for the task. Kennedy and Raya hit back-to-back singles to get things started, then a throwing error on a fielder's choice allowed Kennedy to score and put UNW back in front, 7-6. After Raya tagged up on a flyout to center field, the sophomore dashed home on a wild pitch and extended the lead to 8-6 heading into the bottom of the ninth.
The final half-inning of the day was not without its fair share of theater as well, which was fitting. A single and a hit batter gave the Polars two runners on with one out. That's when Crown star Bryan Gerbers belted one to the gap in left-center, likely to tie the game with an extra-base hit. Fifth-year senior
Benji Bruce (Andover, Minn./Maranatha Christian) had other ideas, chasing down the fly ball and diving to make the catch and preserve the lead. After an RBI single brought the Polars within a run,
Nick Drinken (Randolph, Minn./Randolph) was finally pulled from the game after 8.2 innings and 26 outs, and received a raucous ovation from his teammates, coaches and fans. Raya relieved Northwestern's ace and walked the first batter to load the bases, but forced a flyout to center field to end the game, giving the Eagles an 8-7 win in the opening round.
Five Eagles recorded multiple hits in the slugfest, led by Raya's 3-5 day that included a double, two RBI and the save on the mound. Severson went 2-4 with two doubles and an RBI, while Bruce, Bligh and
Bryce Campbell (New Hope, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong) all tallied two hits as well.
Ben Hixon (Yorkville, Ill./Yorkville) and Klein each doubled, with the latter also driving in two runs. Rabey drove in two himself as well. Drinken nearly went the distance on the mound for his second straight start against the Polars, going 8.2 innings and striking out four, while giving up seven runs. Raya's save was his second this season.
No. 3 UNW will play at 3:00 on Friday against the winner of game two of Thursday's slate between No. 1 Bethany Lutheran College and No. 4 University of Minnesota Morris. The winner of the 3:00 Friday game will advance to championship Saturday, while the loser will immediately play the winner of the 12:00 Friday game.
