CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team will officially open up the 2015 season Wed., Feb. 25 and Thurs., Feb. 26 as they head to the West St. Paul Sports Center in West St. Paul, Minn. for four games. The Golden Eagles will face Minot State University at 11 a.m. and Bemidji State University at 1 p.m. Wed., Feb. 25. Thursday, UMC will take on Minnesota State University Moorhead at 9 a.m. and Minot State University at 11 a.m.

The Golden Eagles are in their first season under Don Stopa, who comes over from Louisburg College in Louisburg, N.C., where he was the head coach for three seasons, leading the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) affiliate to a 70-56 mark. In addition, Stopa is joined by former Northwest Oklahoma State University player Raylynn McIntosh, who serves as his assistant coach.

UMC posted a 3-34 mark during the 2014 season. The Golden Eagles return Shelby Hollinger (Sr., 2B,
Neudorf, Saskatchewan/Health Science), who hit .280 with four doubles, one home run with 10 runs scored and five RBI's. In addition, Josee Plante (Sr., 3B, Manitou, Manitoba/Health Science) returns after hitting .252 with nine runs scored, two doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI's as a junior.

In the circle, Bailey Braatz (So., P, Buffalo, Minn./Sports and Rec Management) returns to lead the Golden Eagles. Braatz pitched 46.2 innings with 12 starts as a freshman for the Golden Eagles and had 30 strikeouts.

Minot State is 3-2 on the season coming into Wednesday and Thursday's games. The Beavers are led by
 Burdette, who is hitting .533 with five runs scored, one home run and two RBI's. In addition, Leyna Downey is hitting .467 with two runs scored and four RBI's. In the circle, Minot State is led by Mindy Lorimor, who is 2-2 with a 3.45 ERA.

Bemidji State went 11-31 with an 0-26 mark in conference last season. The Beavers are led at the plate by
Angie Roberts, who hit .258 with nine doubles, two triples and one home run last season. In addition, Alayna Krejci hit .248 with six doubles, 14 runs and 11 RBI's last season. In the circl,e Jessica Yost leads the way after going 3-9 with a 5.65 ERA in 79.1 innings last season.

MSU Moorhead posted a 15-24 mark overall last season. The Dragons are led by Mollie Annen, who hit .325 with 21 runs scored, seven doubles, one triple, three home runs and 11 RBI's. In addition to Annen, Brittany York hit .292 with 13 runs scored, six home runs and 23 RBI's. In the circle, MSU Moorhead was led by Kristen Nordby, who was 7-12 with a 3.52 ERA in 125.1 innings pitched last season.

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).