The Wolves and Minnesota-Morris got in three innings of what was scheduled to be a play-in game to the NSIC Tournament April 6 before the game was called due to rain. Due to the impending wet weather and field conditions in Morris for the weekend, the tournament was shortened to four teams instead of the original seven. The bottom three teams in the conference – Bemidji State, Morris and Northern – were sent home. That ended Northern's season ended at 7-29 overall and 4-19 in the NSIC.

The strange ending to the season was not fitting, however, to a team that fought through seemingly insurmountable roster losses to stay competitive all season.

The Wolves lost six starting position players from early workouts to early in the season, mostly due to injury. To add insult to injury, two of the team's top remaining batters in senior captain first baseman Al Kjenstad (Aberdeen) and junior outfielder Andrew Overland (Sioux Falls) were also forced to spend time on the disabled list during the middle of the season.

Despite these losses and with a young and ever-thinning team, the Wolves made an art of regrouping and beating teams that on paper they shouldn't have beaten.

Such was the case when NSU hit its best stride of the season in April. The Wolves upset the two teams that would end up doing battle for the conference title on the last weekend of the regular season. NSU rallied to split doubleheaders at home with Southwest State April 20 and with eventual conference champion Minnesota-Duluth April 24.

Leading the Wolves all year at the plate was Overland, who ended the season with a .370 batting average. Overland, an all-conference selection, also won NSIC Player of the Week honors for going .615 at the plate with three home runs and a 1.385 slugging percentage in four games.

The Wolves lose senior captains Al Kjenstad and Jeff Gilbertson (Wright, Wyo.) to graduation and are likely to also lose Overland, who plans on student teaching next spring. But the Wolves return team captain and stellar shortstop Jeremy Schmidt (Appleton, Minn.), who led the conference in assisted putouts this season. Joining Schmidt as a senior next season will be centerfielder Chris Osborn (Redfield, S.D.), who ended the season on a tear at the plate and is known for robbing batters of would-be hits with his speed in the outfield.

PLAY-IN GAME CANCELLED; TOURNEY SHORTENED

April 6, 1999

Northern State and Minnesota-Morris got in three innings of what was scheduled to be a play-in game to the NSIC Tournament Thursday before the game was called due to rain. Due to the impending wet weather and field conditions in Morris for the weekend, the tournament was shortened to four teams instead of seven. The bottom three teams in the conference -- Bemidji State, Morris and Northern -- were sent home. Northern's season ended at 7-29 overall and 4-19 in the NSIC.

PLAY-IN GAME PUSHED BACK TO THURSDAY

April 5, 1999

Northern State and Minnesota-Morris will square off in a play-in game Thursday at 11 a.m. in Morris. The game, which decides what team gets to move onto the NSIC Conference tournament also in Morris April 6-8, was rained out Wednesday.

WOLVES SPLIT AT MORRIS

April 2, 1999

Northern State split in doubleheaders Friday and Saturday at Minnesota-Morris. On Friday, NSU fell 7-6 before rallying in the nightcap 9-7. On Saturday, the Wolves shutout the Cougars 2-0 before UMM won 10-3 in the second game.

That sets up a play-in game between the teams Wednesday, May 5 at 3 p.m. in Morris. The winner gets to compete in the NSIC Tournament May 6-8 in Morris, while the loser's season will end.

Sophomore pitcher Jake Foslien (Benson, Minn.) pitched 5 1/3 innings of shoutout ball, scattering four hits. He and freshman closer/utility player Eric Borge (Mellette, S.D.), pitched a combined shutout in the Wolves' 2-0 win. Junior centerfielder Chris Osborn (Redfield, S.D.) had a great weekend at the plate, batting .462 (6-for-13) with seven RBI.

NSU is now 7-29 overall and 4-19 in the NSIC, while Morris is 5-37 overall and 4-15 in conference play heading into Wednesday's game.

WOLVES DROP TWO AT SOUTHWEST

April 27, 1999

Northern State dropped a pair of games at Southwest State Tuesday, with the Mustangs coming out on top in the doubleheader 4-2 and 8-0.

NSU (5-27, 2-17 NSIC) wraps up its regular season with a set of conference doubleheaders in Morris Friday and Saturday. The NSIC conference tournament is scheduled for May 6-8 and will also be held in Morris.

HOME DATE WITH NORTH DAKOTA CANCELLED

April 26, 1999

The regular season home finale for NSU (5-25, 2-15 NSIC) against the University of North Dakota was cancelled Monday morning due to rain. The game was originally scheduled for April 19, but UND pulled out to get in a postponed conference game.
 

NSU EDGES UMD IN EXTRA INNINGS, FALLS IN NIGHTCAP

April 24, 1999

Northern State gave over 100 baseball fans at Fossum Field a treat Saturday afternoon by upsetting NSIC power Minnesota-Duluth 3-2 in eight innings. The Bulldogs (17-9, 12-4 NSIC) came back in the nightcap for a 5-0 win.

In the first game, NSU freshman Andrew Lyke (Lakeville, Minn.) pitched his second complete game win of the week. The crafty youngster scattered six hits and just one earned run while facing 35 batters in eight innings of work.

The Wolves gave Lyke some bat support with a clutch two-run sixth inning to tie the score at 2-2. Junior shortsop and co-team captain Jeremy Schmidt (Appleton, Minn.) got the Wolves on the board by driving in senior co-team captain Al Kjenstad (Aberdeen, S.D.) with a two-out single to centerfield. Sophomore utility man Brad Thorstad (Morris, Minn.) followed that up with an RBI base knock of his own, driving in freshman first baseman Cory Ritter (Sartell, Minn.) to knot up the score.

NSU's defense came up equally as big in the top of the seventh, with freshman second baseman Chad Pflipson diving to snag and flip up what could have been a base hit into the beginning of a 4-6-3 double play that ended UMD's half of the inning.

After a collision at the plate between NSU junior Andrew Overland (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and UMD catcher Robert Rothe ended the Wolves' chances to end the game in the bottom of the seventh, NSU wouldn't be denied in the eighth. After loading the bases and forcing UMD to change pitchers, freshman outfielder Eric Borge's (Mellette, S.D.) patience at the plate paid off with a walk to end the game. NSU's comeback win snapped a 10-game winning streak for UMD.

In the nightcap, UMD ace and pro prospect Chris Swiatkiewicz led the Bulldogs to a four-hit shutout over the Wolves.

NSU earned the split Saturday despite playing without freshman catcher Bill Schmitt (Inver Grove, Minn.), who is nursing a badly bruised knee that was hit by a pitch in Friday's doubleheader against the Bulldogs. Schmitt is expected to return for NSU's next game.
 

WOLVES DROP TWO TO BULLDOGS

April 23, 1999

Northern State had its chances in the first game of its doubleheader with Minnesota-Duluth Tuesday in a 6-5 loss before the Bulldogs exploded in the nightcap for a convincing 17-0 decision Friday at Aberdeen's Fossum Field.

A highlight for the Wolves continues to be the play of junior designated hitter/outfielder Andrew Overland. Overland, the current NSIC Player of the Week, is now on a two-week tear. Against the Bulldogs, Overland went 3-for-5 with three RBI and one run scored.

WOLVES EARN SPLIT WITH MUSTANGS

April 20, 1999

Northern State scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to close the door on what would be a 9-3 upset win over NSIC rival Southwest State on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon at Aberdeen's Fossum Field. The Mustangs (17-12 overall, 7-5 NSIC) rallied in the nightcap for a 12-8 win.

Junior designated hitter/outfielder Andrew Overland continued the red-hot play that earned him NSIC Player of the Week honors last week. The Sioux Falls native went six-for-seven in the twin bill with three RBI and six runs scored. Overland also blasted another homerun, his fourth in the last six games.

Both teams combined for four home runs in the second game. Junior centerfielder Chris Osborn (Redfield, S.D.) had NSU's other dinger, a 350-foot blast to right field. It was Osborn's first career homer.

WILDCATS DOWN WOLVES

April 13, 1999

Wayne State College defeated Northern State 13-3 and 9-1 Tuesday at Fossum Field in Aberdeen.

Wayne State improved to 18-11 overall with the wins and at 9-1 in league play, the Wildcats are a serious contender for the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title in their first year with the conference. Northern dropped to 3-21 overall and 0-11 in the NSIC.

WOLVES DRILL DAKOTA STATE

April 12, 1999

Northern State's bats came alive Monday at Madison, as the Wolves lambasted Dakota State 16-7 and 14-3 in five innings.

NSU exploded for 10 runs in the fifth inning of the first game to blow things open and eight runs in the fourth inning of the second game to do the same. Meanwhile, the pitching staff held DSU to just five hits in each game.

Junior outfielder/designated hitter Andrew Overland (Sioux Falls) jacked three home runs on the day, going five-for-six with eight RBI and seven runs scored in both games combined.
 

BEAVERS IMPROVE TO 3-0 IN NSIC WITH WIN OVER NSU

April 10, 1999

Bemidji State defeated Northern 5-1 Saturday afternoon at Fossum Field in Aberdeen. The game was called in the top of the sixth inning due to arctic-like winds and intensifying rain. The scheduled nightcap between the teams was also cancelled.

BEMIDJI STATE ESCAPES WITH TWO WINS AT FOSSUM FIELD

April 9, 1999

NSU lost to Bemidji State 4-0 and 11-4 (8 innings) Friday at Fossum Field in Aberdeen. The Wolves (1-18, 0-8 NSIC) were held to just three hits in the first game, but had a better offensive output in the nightcap.

NSU held a 3-0 lead through four innings, but Bemidji State (4-13, 2-0 NSIC) came up big in the fifth with four runs to take the lead. The Wolves answered with a run of their own to knot up the score in the bottom of the inning on a double by freshman outfielder/pitcher Eric Borge (Mellette) that drove in senior first baseman Al Kjenstad (Aberdeen).

After seven innings couldn't decide the outcome, Bemidji State exploded for seven runs in the top of the eighth to cap the scoring.

The teams are scheduled to square off again Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at noon ... weather permitting.
 

WOLVES DROP FOUR TO CONFERENCE JUGGERNAUT WINONA

April 5, 1999

NSU dropped a pair of doubleheaders at Winona State last weekend. On Friday, The Warriors defeated the Wolves 13-1 and 5-0. On Saturday, WSU prevailed 2-0 and 4-1. NSU dropped to 1-14 overall and 0-4 in the NSIC with the losses.

Northern's scheduled doubleheader at North Dakota State Tuesday was cancelled due to unplayable field conditions at NDSU. NSU is at Wayne State for a conference doubleheader Wednesday.
 

USD, SDSU BOTH SWEEP NSU

March 31, 1999

South Dakota defeated Northern State 7-2 and 5-3 Monday in a baseball doubleheader in Vermillion, S.D. Monday. The Coyotes improved their record to 13-9. On Tuesday, the Wolves traveled to Brookings, S.D. and were swept by South Dakota State 20-12 and 11-4. The Jacks improved to 8-10 on the year, while Northern fell to 1-10.

NSU freshman catcher Bill Schmitt (Inver Grove, Minn.) jacked a three-run home run in the first game en route to four RBI on the game. The Wolves open the conference season Friday and Saturday at Winona State.

NSU DROPS TWO TO NDSU

March 27, 1999

North Dakota State took both games in a doubleheader at NSU's Fossum Field on a gray and overcast Saturday. The Bison (7-9) defeated Northern State (1-6) 9-0 and 8-5 on a rain-soaked field. Morning showers forced the first game back a half hour to 1:30 p.m. and intermittent rain throughout the afternoon gradually worsened field conditions. The second game was called after the sixth inning due to darkness.

In the second game, NSU was unable to take advantage of 13 walks surrendered by NDSU's pitching staff. The Wolves led 5-4 heading into the sixth inning, but the Bison came up big with a four-run inning that would cap the scoring. The last out of the game was a costly one for NSU, as junior infielder Josh Roueche went down with a foot injury trying to beat out a throw to first base. It was the latest in a rash of illnesses and injuries that have ravaged NSU's roster this season.
 

WOLVES DROP GAME TO WESLEYAN

March 20, 1999

Northern State fell in Mitchell to Dakota Wesleyan 13-4 Saturday. Junior third baseman Josh Roueche gave Northern its only lead of the day in the first inning with an RBI single. The Green River, Wyo., native had three hits and an RBI on the day for NSU. NSU is now 1-4 on the season.

NSU also played two exhibition games against Dawson Community College (Mont.) in Mitchell over the weekend, falling 12-0 Friday and 11-10 in nine innings Saturday.

NSU's home opener is March 27 in a doublheader against North Dakota State University.
 

Wolves Baseball Preview 1999

With eight returning position players – including five who batted over .300 – and four returning pitchers, the Wolves have a solid nucleus of players who are back and fired up for '99.

The 1999 Wolves will once again face a brutal schedule of top notch opponents.  The Wolves open their season in the Metrodome against Division I Northern Iowa and have five North Central Conference schools on the schedule. The Wolves' own Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference has also proven to be a very tough league, featuring three regionally ranked teams from the end of the 1998 season in No. 2 Winona State, No. 5 Southwest State and No. 8 Minnesota-Duluth.

Here is a positional breakdown of the 1999 NSU squad:

Pitching
With a proven lineup returning, the 1999 pitching staff must carry a lot of weight for the Wolves to be a successful team within the conference. Two newcomers, Jason Kueffler (transfer from South Dakota State) and Cory Ritter, will look to add some quality innings as will returning starters Josh Roueche (junior, Green River, Wyo.) and Brad Thorstad (sophomore, Morris, Minn.). Veterans Jake Foslien (sophomore, Benson, Minn.) and Jeff Gilbertson (senior, Wright, Wyo.) will most likely be called upon for bullpen help or emergency starts.

"Our pitchers have been focusing on getting their arms in shape and hitting spots with all their pitches," pitching coach Tim Prosser said. "I have a feeling if our pitchers have a good year we as a team will have a good year. We have some good arms and a lot of potential."

Infield
The infield will feature a solid group of four returners in Al Kjenstad (senior 1B, Aberdeen, .280 BA), Josh Roeche (junior 3B/ 2B, Green River, Wyo., 308 BA), Gavin Smith (sophomore 2B, Fargo, N.D., 320 BA), and Jeremy Schmidt (junior SS, Appleton, Minn., 270 BA). All have game experience and will be asked to contribute both offensively and defensively. All-NSIC selection Ben Parkin (junior, Crookston, Minn.) will see time at both DH and third base.

Schmidt and Smith will be called on to provide a steady double-play combination up the middle.  With the power hitters of the lineup – Parkin, Roueche and Kjenstad – contributing at the corners.

"Hitting is probably our infield's strongest weapon," assistant coach Carl Pierson said. "I feel we can provide a steady defense with some proven offensive producers. Both are critical to our team's success."

Outfield
Returning in the outfield are last year's starting center fielder, Chris Osborn (junior, Redfield, S.D., .300 BA), and starting right fielder Kerry Jacobson (.314). South Dakota State transfer Andrew Overland will provide both a steady bat and left field experience. Junior Damian Lampl (Fargo, N.D.) brings speed and defensive leadership to the outfield. He will see time as both a substitute and a starter. Freshman Eric Borge will see action as both a pitcher and a reserve outfielder.

Catchers
Freshman Bill Schmitt will fill the void left at the catcher position from the 1998 squad. Bill has all the tools of a great catcher and a very live bat to go with it. Sophomore Brad Thorstad was converted from a third baseman to catcher to provide the Wolves with a solid backup and good speed on the base paths.