Box Score ST. CLOUD, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team picked up a major victory with a 4-3 win over St. Cloud State University Tues., April 8 at the Husky Dome in St. Cloud, Minn. in the second game of a doubleheader. The Golden Eagles dropped the first game of the doubleheader 9-0 in five innings.

Minnesota Crookston moves to 3-20 (1-9 NSIC) as they pick up their first conference win of the season.

Paige Schaust (Sr., OF/P, Delano, Minn./Early Childhood Education) put together one of the best starts of her career in the circle as she pitched a complete game, giving up three runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Schaust had a two-hit shutout going into the sixth inning. Schaust moved to 3-7 on the season with the victory and has been responsible for all three of the Golden Eagles' victories this season.

In addition to Schaust, Minnesota Crookston's victory was highlighted by clutch plays. The first came in the bottom of the third as with two outs, Allison Foley (So., SS, Lockport, Ill./Accounting) got ahold of one and hit a solo home run, her second of the season, to get UMC out to a 1-0 lead, which they would have going into the sixth inning.

In the sixth, after St. Cloud State got three runs to go up 3-1 on UMC, the Golden Eagles were able to rise to the occasion again, beginning with a Foley double through the left side to start off the inning. Foley would come home on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 3-2. UMC would get another clutch play with two outs later in the sixth as Alexis Khoshaba (So., OF, Richmond, British Columbia/Sports and Rec Management) hit a triple to plate Josee Plante (Jr., 3B, Manitou, Manitoba/Health Science) and Ashley Manusos (Sr., OF, Spring Grove, Ill./Sports and Rec Management).

With the Golden Eagles now up 4-3, it was up to the UMC defense and Schaust in the circle to step up. Schaust would get the first two outs, but would walk a batter and hit the next batter to put the go-ahead runner on base. With two outs and two on, St. Cloud State's Kelsie Fitch would hit a rocket to center which appeared to be on the way out of the park but Manusos came up with a clutch defensive play to reel the ball back in and get the final out of the game to send UMC away with the much earned win over the Huskies.

The Golden Eagles were led in the game by Foley, who moved into the leadup spot and was 2-for-3 with one Run Batted In (RBI) and two runs scored. Khoshaba was also 2-for-3 with two RBI's on the game.

St. Cloud State's Kendra Merritt earned the loss, after coming in to pitch one inning and giving up two earned runs. Kelly Franks got the start and pitched 1.1 innings of shutout softball. Senna Francesconi would pitch 3.2 innings, giving up one earned run on four hits.

At the plate, the Huskies were led in game two by Breana Canova, who was 1-for-3 with two RBI's and one run scored and Jessica Goerger, who was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

In the first game of the day, Brooke Vatthauer (Jr., P/1B, Crookston, Minn./Health Science) would get the start and go 1.1 innings, giving up four earned runs on five hits, as she suffered the loss on the game. Bailey Braatz (Fr., P, Buffalo, Minn./Communication) would come in relief and pitch three innings, giving up one earned run on six hits while Sammy Knudson (Fr., P/UT, Fergus Falls, Minn./Undecided) would pitch 0.2 innings, giving up no earned runs.

Franks would get the win for St. Cloud State after pitching a no-hitter in four innings. Merritt would come in relief in the fifth and would continue the team no-hitter for the Huskies.

St. Cloud State was led by five runs in the second inning. The ywere paced by Canova, who was 3-for-4 with four RBI's and Megan Lehnen, who was 2-for-2 with two RBI's and three runs scored.

The Golden Eagles are slated to host University of Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State University at the UMC Softball Field April 12 and 13. Further details about those games and what tiem they will played and where will be announced as it is determined whether UMC Softball Field will be ready to play.

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

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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).