CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team put the test to No. 14 Winona State University in game one but fell short 3-2 despite a seventh-inning comeback. In game two, the Golden Eagles fell 9-1 to Warriors. Minnesota Crookston had home runs on the day from Alexis Khoshaba (Jr., OF, Richmond, British Columbia) in game one and Allison Foley (Jr., SS, Lockport, Ill./Accounting) in game two.

The Golden Eagles fall to 4-18 (0-4 NSIC) with the pair of losses. Winona State improved to 20-7 (2-0 NSIC) with the pair of victories. UMC opened up their home slate March 28, one of the earliest dates UMC has ever played at home. The Golden Eagles played Winona State at home March 24, 2012.

Minnesota Crookston got a strong outing in the circle from Bailey Braatz (So., RHP, Buffalo, Minn./Sports and Rec Management), who went seven innings and gave up three runs on eight hits in the loss.

The Warriors would start the scoring of game one in the top of the first when Lexi Perez scored on an error to make it 1-0.

Winona State would extend their lead to 2-0 in the top of the third when Morgan Lintz hit a solo home run.

The Warriors added one more run in the fourth when Evie Schaller scored on a double play groundout to make it 3-0.

Winona State's Ashley Walker would have a perfect game going into the bottom of the seventh when UMC finally got to her. Victoria Bayliss (Fr., OF, West Bloomfield, Mich./Elementary Education) would open up the inning with a double. Khoshaba would make a game of it with her two-run shot off Walker to make it 3-2. However, the Winona State pitcher would get out of the inning to win the game 3-2 for Winona State.

Walker helped herself out in game one, going 2-of-4, while Allyson O'Herron was 2-of-3.

In game two, Sammy Knudson (So., RHP/OF/Fergus Falls, Minn./Health Science) got the start for the Golden Eagles. Knudson would start out well but would suffer the loss in game two after giving up seven runs, one of them earned, on nine hits.

The Golden Eagles and Warriors would have a pitcher's duel of the gate, but Winona State would breakthrough with six runs in the third. The inning was led by a Walker two-run double to drive in Reed Karsten and Jordan Petersen. After a walk to Lintz, McKenna Larsen would hit a three-run home run. The Warriors would lead 6-0 after the conclusion of the third.

Winona State would add a run in the fourth when Petersen scored on a Walker single.

The Golden Eagles would cut the deficit to 7-1 when Foley hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth.

The Warriors added two runs in the sixth as Larsen hit a two-run home run to make it 9-1. The game ended following the sixth after UMC couldn't close within eight runs, thus ending the game due to run rule.

Hanna Lythberg got the win for Winona State after going six innings and giving up one earned run on five hits.

The Golden Eagles were led by Foley, who was 1-of-3 with one run scored and one run batted in (RBI).

Winona State was led in game two by Larsen, who had two home runs with two runs scored and five RBI's. Walker was 2-of-4 with three RBI's and one run scored.

The Golden Eagles will take on Upper Iowa University at 1 and 3 p.m. at UMC Softball Field Sun., March 29. Stay tuned to goldeneaglesports.com for any time changes or cancellations.

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).