Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ABERDEEN, S.D.- The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team fell 7-0 and 5-3 to Northern State University Sat., April 19 at the Mocassin Creek Softball Complex in Aberdeen, S.D. in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) doubleheader. The Golden Eagles threatened in game two, with the game-tying run on the base paths but three consecutive strike outs by Northern State pitcher Kami Smesmo would thwart UMC's chance to knot up the game.

The Golden Eagles fall to 3-28 (1-17 NSIC) with Saturday's losses. Northern State improves to 13-25 (6-16 NSIC) with the doubleheader victory.

In game one, Cateline Fafard (Sr., P/1B, Dauphin, Manitoba/Elementary Education) would get the start and would pitch 4.1 innings, giving up seven runs on nine hits.

Brooke Vatthauer (Jr., P/1B, Crookston, Minn./Health Science) would come on in relief and pitch 1.2 innings, allowing no runs on two hits.

Smesmo would get the win in game one for Northern State, with the complete game three-hit shutout for the Wolves.

Northern State would open up the scoring with four runs in the first. Morgan Engel would start the scoring as she singled to drive in Kelsey Gale. Lindsey Hubler would then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Kalie Maiden. Two more runs would cross as Rachel Albright doubled to left center to score Engel and Eryn Yancy.

The Wolves would add three runs in the fifth with home runs from Hubler and Albright to aid their cause.

The Golden Eagles were led by Brooke Timmins (So., C, Magnolia, Texas/Sports and Rec Management), who was 1-of-2 for the game. UMC also had hits from Josee Plante (Jr., 3B, Manitou, Manitoba/Health Science) and Allison Foley (So., SS, Lockport, Ill./Accounting).

Northern State was led by Albright in game one. She was 2-of-2 with one run scored and three RBI's. In addition to Albright, Engel was 2-of-4 with one RBI and two runs scored.

Paige Schaust (Sr., OF/P, Delano, Minn./Early Childhood Education) got the game two start and again kept UMC in it with another good performance in the circle. Schaust went six innings, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits.

Missy Elkins got the game two start for Northern State and picked up the win, going 5.2 innings, allowing just one earned run on 10 hits. Smesmo came on in relief and got the save, pitching 1.1 innings, and giving up just one earned run on three hits.

Northern State would open up game two scoring in the second as Albright reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Hubler to score.

The Golden Eagles would answer in the third as Plante singled to drive in Ashley Manusos (Sr., OF, Spring Grove, Ill./Sports and Rec Management).

The Wolves would take the 2-1 advantage as Hubler singled up the middle to drive in Maiden.

Northern State extended their advantage to 3-1 as Albright crossed the plate on an illegal pitch.

The Golden Eagles would cut the lead to 3-2 in the sixth when Shelby Hollinger (Jr., 2B, Neudorf, Saskatchewan/Health Science) double to left field to bring home Foley.

Northern State extended their lead to 5-2 in the sixth as Maiden singled to drive in Gale and Ashley Clapp.

Minnesota Crookston would threaten in the seventh. They got one run closer, cutting the lead to 5-3 as Kaylin Beatty (So., UT, Andover, Minn./Equine Science) singled to drive in Schaust.

The Golden Eagles would have Alexis Khoshaba (So., OF, Richmond, British Columbia) and Beatty on with no outs, but Smesmo would step up and strike out the next three batters to get Northern State out of trouble and deliver the win for Northern State.

Minnesota Crookston was paced by Foley in game two. She was 3-of-5 wih one run scored. Manusos was 2-of-4 with one run scored, as was Schaust.

Northern State looked to Maiden in game two, who was 2-of-4 with two RBI's and one run scored. In addition to Maiden, Hubler was 2-of-3 with one RBI and one runs scored.

The Golden Eagles will trek to Bemidji State University for games April 22 at 2 and 4 p.m. April 22. They are then slated to host their first, and potentially last games of the 2014 season as they will take on Minot State University April 23 at UMC Softball Field. The Golden Eagles have gone early two seasons so far without playing a home game. Head Coach Ed Deugan has yet to coach a regular-season home game at UMC Softball Field.

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

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.

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).