(Crookston, Minn.) – The University of Minnesota, Crookston Women's Softball team hosted MSU Moorhead on Monday in an NSIC double-header. In what has been the nicest day of the season, UMC earned a split with the Dragons for the team's second conference victory of the season. The Golden Eagles won the first game 7-6 and fell in the second game 5-2.

UMC built up a 7-0 lead in the first three innings and then had to hold off the Dragons who scored four runs in the fourth and added two more in the fifth to get within a 7-6 deficit. Steph Thomas (P, 5-9, Sr, St. Albert, Alberta) struck out four of the last six outs to solidify the victory for UMC.  Kayla Bowar (SS, 5-4, Sr, Moorhead, Minn.)  was 4-4 in the game with a home run and three RBI. Erin Fowle (P, 5-8, So, Winnipeg, Manitoba) threw five innings, giving up six runs (three earned) while striking out nine batters for the win. Thomas threw two innings and struck out four to earn the save.

After three scoreless innings MSUM scored two runs in the fourth and added two more in the fifth for a 4-0 lead.  UMC answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.  After a walk UMC's Kelli Burns (OF, 5-6, Fr, Montrose, Minn.) hit a home run to bring the Golden Eagles within a 4-2 deficit.  It is Burns' second consecutive double-header with a homerun. MSUM scored an insurance run in the sixth inning and held on for a 5-2 win to pick up a split. Thomas threw five innings giving up four runs (three earned). Stacey Marcum (P, 5-7, So, Merrill, Wis.) relieved Thomas throwing two innings, giving up one run (none earned).

The Golden Eagles host Bemidji State University on Tuesday at the UMC Softball Field. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. UMC travels to Northern State on Thursday to play the Wolves at 3 p.m. The team returns home on Saturday and Sunday to play Concordia- St. Paul and St. Cloud State University. Games are scheduled to start at noon on both days. UMC closes out the regular season on Monday, May 2 when the team travels to Bismarck, N.D. to play Mary. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).


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