CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team will  begin their 10-game trip to Tucson, Ariz. Mon., March 16 as they play in the Tuscon Invitational at Lincoln Park in Tucson, Ariz. The Golden Eagles are 0-8 on the season and will get their final non-conference tune-up before Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play opens up.

The Golden Eagles are in their first season under Don Stopa, who spent time in Arizona at Pima Community College where he worked with both the baseball and softball teams. UMC has been led on the season by Allison Foley (Jr., SS, Lockport, Ill./Accounting), who is hitting .444 with three runs scored and two RBI's. In addition to Foley, Victoria Bayliss (Fr., OF, West Bloomfield, Mich./Elementary Education), who is hitting .318 with three runs scored and one RBI.

On the mound, Jordyn Derflinger (Jr., OF/P, Henderson, Nev./Elementary Education), who is 0-1 with a 4.91 earned runs average in 7.1 innings pitched. Bailey Braatz (So., RHP, Buffalo, Minn./Sports and Rec
Management) owns a 0-3 mark and a 8.10 ERA in 23.1 innings pitched.

The Golden Eagles will open up the Tucson Invitational with three games March 16. UMC will open up against University of British Columbia at 10 a.m. C.T. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic affiliate out of Vancover, British Columbia, is 12-20 on the 2015 season. The Thunderbirds are led by Cherise Chang, who is hitting .382 with nine runs scored and six RBI's. In addition, Shayla Kaplen is hitting .381 with 18 runs scored with four runs scored and 22 RBI's. At pitcher, Lindsey Ogilvie is 4-6 with a 4.22 ERA in 91.1 innings pitched.

UMC will take on NAIA affiliate Dickinson State University at 12 p.m. C.T. March 16 in Tuscon. The Blue Hawks are 6-1 on the season. Dickinson State has been led by Alex Vargas, who is hitting .471 with eight runs scored and four RBI's. McKenzie Kenobbie is hitting .444 with eight runs scored and one RBI. In the circle, Regan Lawrence is 3-1 with a 2.52 ERA.

The Golden Eagles will play NAIA affiliate Mayville State University at 4:30 p.m. C.T. March 16. The Comets are 1-4 on the season. Mayville State has been led by Daisy Macias, who is hitting .400 with one run scored and three RBI's. At pitcher, Mayville State looks to Haley Kravetz, who is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 4.2 innings pitched.

UMC will continue the tournament with two games March. 17. The Golden Eagles will take on Marian University (Wis.) at 2:30 p.m. C.T. March 17. The Sabres, a NCAA Division III affiliate, have a 3-7 mark on the season. Marian has been led by Tana Vanden Heuvel, who is hitting .533 with seven runs scored and four RBI's. Charlotte Pegram is hitting .385 with two runs scored. The Sabres have looked to Emily Gorges in the circle, who is 2-1 with a 3.05 ERA in 20.2 innings pitched. Marian is located in Fond du Lac, Wis.

UMC will take on Division III school University of Dubuque out of Dubuque, Iowa at 4:30 pm. C.T. March 17. Dubuque has former UMC player Ashley Manusos on their staff as a graduate assistant coach. The Spartans are 3-3 on the season. Dubuque is led by Ainsley Billensbach, who is hitting .444 with three runs scored and seven RBI's. In the circle, Hannah Koerperich is leading the way with a 4.67 ERA in 9.0 innings pitched.

The Golden Eagles will battle Valley City State University at 10 a.m. C.T. March 19. The Vikings are 4-6 on the season. Valley City State has been led by Shayna Taffinder, who is hitting .379 with four runs scored and four RBI's, while Katie Cameron is hitting .375 with seven runs scored and six RBI's. At pitcher, Valley City State has been led by Ashley Metcalf, who is 1-2 with a 1.79 ERA.

UMC will take on Dickinson State for the second time on the week at 12 p.m. C.T. March 19.

The Golden Eagles will battle Mayville State for the second time of the week at 4:30 p.m. C.T. March 19.

UMC will get their second game against Valley City State at 1:30 p.m. C.T. March 20.

The Golden Eagles will wrap up the weekend against St. Joseph's College-Brooklyn March 20 at 6 p.m. C.T. The NCAA Division III school out of Brooklyn, N.Y., is 0-0 coming into the week. The Bears went 17-16 during the 2014 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).