GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The Green defeated the Black in the University of North Dakota baseball team's annual Blue Moose Classic this past weekend, taking the opening two games of the three-game series at Kraft Field. The Green team, led by head coach Jeff Dodson, used a 4-3 victory in game one, then thumped the Black, 13-1, in game two to secure intrasquad bragging rights for the fall.

The Black, guided by assistant coach J.C. Field, salvaged a game in the series, winning the third one on Sunday, 9-3.

Game One
In the first of three seven-inning affairs, the Green held on a 4-3 victory behind home run by Josh Lagien (Devils Lake, N.D.). Lagein, who went 6-for-8 with seven runs in the series, delivered the decisive blow in the fourth inning. Junior Brandon Baumgartner (Coon Rapids, Minn.) picked up the win on the hill, allowing two earned runs in 4.2 innings of work.

Senior Andrew Gudmunson (Minot, N.D.) added a two-run single for the Green.

The black pulled to within a run late in the contest, but junior Jameson Benson (Karlstad, Minn.) was able to pick up the save, allowing just the one unearned run in 2.1 innings. Benson struck out two and did not allow a hit during his outing.

Junior Joe Krivarchka (Lisbon, N.D.) went 3-for-3 with a RBI-single to pace the Black offense. Designated hitter Aaron Cook (Erksine, Minn.) added a sacrifice fly.

Game Two
A pair of newcomers led an offensive onslaught for the Green team in the second game on Saturday as Dodson's team posted a 13-1 victory. Outfielder Josh Ray (Yucaipa, Calif.) opened the scoring with a three-run homer in the first and fellow newcomer Kris Kwak (Richfield, Minn.) belted a grand slam in the second to give the Green a 7-0 advantage in the early going.

That would be all the run support starter Derek Biermaier (Roseau, Minn.) would need as the junior righthander allowed only four hits in four scoreless innings of work. Lagein, who went 4-for-4 on Saturady, and catcher Jeff Bunch (Victorville, Calif.) both scored four runs in the contest. Bunch also doubled and drew two walks.

Kwak finished 3-for-4 with his grand slam, a triple and four RBI. Second baseman Jabby Bakhit (Omaha, Neb.) had two of his six hits in the series in game two.

Centerfielder Craig Dolmage (Grants Pass, Ore.) drove in the Black's lone run with a single. Junior Andrew Sadler (Grand Forks, N.D.) and classmate Jake Magner (Grand Rapids, Minn.) each had two hits.

Game Three
The Black salvaged the third and final game of the series on Sunday, defeating the Green, 9-3. Sadler went 3-for-3 with a double and three runs scored, while Cook had a pair of doubles and two RBI to pace the offense. He led the Black squad with a .667 batting average in the three games (6-for-9, two doubles, four runs).

With the score tied 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Black took advantage of a fielding error by third baseman Daniel Ross (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) to plate a pair of runs and take the lead for good. Field's Black team spread the game open in the sixth by adding four runs.

Krivarchka, who finished the series 4-for-8, added an RBI-single and Riley Beck went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs to help pad the lead. Newcomer Tyler Clifton (Salinas, Calif.) picked up the victory for the Black after striking out five in 4.2 innings of work. Clifton scattered five hits and allowed three earned runs.

Lagein hit safely for the third-consecutive game and also drew two walks for the Green. Ray had a RBI-single and Kwak went 2-for-4 with a double. Ross tried to make up for his error in the field by going 2-for-3 with a RBI-single at the plate.