CARVER, Minn. --- Crown College Baseball defeated the UM-Morris Cougars 12-2 in game one of a scheduled conference doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon. This win leads the Storm to 7-2 in conference play, in second place, and the Storm control their destiny as they pursue their first conference championship. Game two did not follow as planned due to field conditions and the weather, likely leading to a Crown trip to Morris tomorrow afternoon to make up the game.

Senior shortstop Seth Betts was the star of the show in the contest, as he homered in his first two at-bats. Betts ended the day with three hits, three runs, three RBIs, and two steals. This is Betts's second two-home-run game of the season, with the first coming against Concordia-Moorhead at a neutral site. Betts now has seven home runs this season, and is tied for the career home run mark with teammate Kyle Schroedle.  

Pitcher Eric Newman received the start and the win for Crown, going six innings, allowing only one earned run and adding six strikeouts to his season total. This victory marks Newman's fifth win of the season, a new Crown institutional record. Reliever Jacob Van Dam continued his stellar inaugural campaign, reliving Newman for the final inning before the Storm reached their tenth run and ending the contest.  

The Storm continued to run the basepaths well, with seven steals in the contest. Aaron Clogson (2), Betts (2), Chad Herrera, Bailey Sarto, and Mason Brock made up the performance. The Storm only needed eight hits to score the twelve runs, and their speed on base was a significant reason. 

Rhys Dewick and Clogston both hit doubles in the contest, with Dewick's clearing the bases for three RBIs. Herrera matched Bett's total with three runs. 

The Storm are planning on traveling to Morris to finish their doubleheader tomorrow, dependent on weather and umpire availability. After that, the Storm will head to UW-Superior for a matchup with the Yellowjackets on Saturday.