MINNEAPOLIS --- Crown Baseball came back from a five-run deficit to defeat the Macalester Scots 16-9 in the Storm's opening game of the season at US Bank Stadium. Entering the top of the seventh inning down two runs, the Storm rallied back with an incredible nine-run inning to start 1-0 in their 2020 campaign.

The Storm struck first in the contest when sophomore Kyle Schroedle scored senior Levi Knott from second base on a single with no outs in the top of the second inning. The Scots countered by tying it up at 1-1 in the bottom of the second.  

In the top of the third inning, junior Seth Betts and senior Bailey Sarto started the inning behind hit by pitches. Knott hit a single to score Betts and the Storm retook the lead. Knott and Sarto advanced on a wild pitch and Rhys Dewick hit a sacrifice fly to score Sarto and make the score 3-1. 

The Scots then scored seven straight runs to take a commanding 8-3 lead with only two innings remaining. In the sixth inning, junior Nicholas Schroedle got hit by a pitch, sophomore Alex Sugi walked, and first-year Josh Keeter was also hit by a pitch to start the inning. Sophomore Chad Herrera hit a double to score both Schroedle and Sugi. Then the senior Sarto walked, as did Knott, who scored first-year Gregg Patton (pinch-running for Keeter). Then first-year catcher Dewick hit a single to score Herrera and the Storm ended the inning down 7-8. 

Macalester added one run in the bottom of the sixth before Crown came back on the field looking to come back from being down two runs with three outs remaining. The inning started when Sugi reached first on an error, and advanced on a wild pitch. After an out, Betts tripled to score Sugi. Then Herrera walked and Sarto reached on a fielder's choice that scored Betts. Knott walked to load the bases, and Dewick had an RBI walk to gain the lead. With two outs, first-year Tristan Shoemaker had a 2-RBI single that scored Knott and Sarto. Sugi walked as Crown successfully batted around first-year Hunter Felts was hit by pitch to score Dewick. Lastly, Betts tripled again in the seventh to score Sugi, Shoemaker, and Felts as the Storm took a commanding 16-9 lead that would stand as they won their opening contest of 2020.

Senior pitcher Eric Newman received the start for the Storm, going 3.2 innings and striking out six in his season debut. Sophomore Nick Brock was next up, going 1.1 innings with two strikouts. Lastly, sophomore Dylan Balfour completed the rest of the contest, pitching two innings and striking out two, along with receiving the win. 

There was a second game scheduled, but due to the length of game one, it was suspended in the middle of the third inning 4-2. The Storm's two runs came from when junior shortstop Seth Betts stole home and when first-year Hunter Felts doubled to score Kyle Schroedle. First-year pitcher Gavin Boots received the start in game two and struck out five through three innings. 

Crown next competes at US Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings, on Thursday at 7 p.m. as Crown takes on the Hamline Pipers. Tickets are $5 at the Lower Pentair gate, which opens 30 minutes before entry.