The Cougars use a nine-run seventh inning to put away Crown College for a 20-12 win at Cougar Prairie Field.

Box Score

A two-run blast from sophomore Jordan Gegen ignited a nine-run rally that lifted the Cougars out of a hitting dual with Crown.

Trailing 10-8 in the bottom of the seventh, senior Nik Randall (who would have a 4 for 4 game) singled and came home on Josh Ledin's follow-up triple.  Then Gegen hit a 2-1 pitch over the wall in right center field, giving the Cougars an 11-10 lead. 

The home run opened the flood gates as seven of the next eight UMM batters reached base.  Gegen would have a third RBI later in the inning when he singled home Randall.

Tom Fox started the game for UMM, going three innings and giving up five runs.  He was relieved by Ted Gray, who stalled the Purple Storm for a couple innings, but eventually was replaced by Kyle Blair, who would get the win for his late inning work.

On the day, the Cougars had 20 hits for 20 runs, their largest offensive output of the season.  Defensively they minimized errors, committing just two on the afternoon.

After the game, head coach Mark Fohl said it was the team's ability to string together hits that made the difference.  "We've been leaving guys on base most of the season, stranding them.  Today we were more effective at the plate with runners in scoring position."

The Cougars return to the diamond for a doubleheader with Crown tomorrow.