CLEARWATER, Fla. – A four-run third-inning propelled the University of Minnesota-Crookston to a 6-0 lead and the Golden Eagles went on to post an 8-3 win over Bentley University in non-conference college baseball at Jack Russell Stadium Thursday.

Senior designated hitter Kenny Perez (Orlando, Fla.), who led UMC with three hits, led off the third with a home run to left. After an error and two walks loaded the bases, sophomore center fielder Riley Thompson (Owatonna, Minn.) made it a 4-0 game with an RBI single. Later in the inning, the Golden Eagles used a Falcon error and a sacrifice fly to add to their lead.

All three Bentley runs were scored in the sixth inning. Freshman left fielder Cameron Cruz (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton HS) reached on an error to start the inning and after a one-out single by grad student and first baseman Ryan O'Connor (Newburyport, Mass./Newburyport HS), scored on a wild pitch. After a walk, senior second baseman Zachary Littman (Abington, Mass./Abington HS) delivered a two-run triple to center, bringing the Falcons within four, 7-3.

Littman and sophomore third baseman Mike Samko (Arlington, Mass./BB&N) both had two hits for Bentley.

Senior right-hander Trevor Buttermore (North Saint Paul, Minn.) earned the win for the Golden Eagles after striking out seven and allowing six hits in his six innings of work. Junior righty Cody Pamperin (Shakopee, Minn.) came in to provide three scoreless innings of relief to earn the save.

The two teams will be back at it Friday morning at 11 am at the Frank Tack Field.