CROOKSTON, Minn.-  The University of Minnesota Crookston softball series against Southwest Minnesota State University and University of Sioux Falls has been moved up due to the likelihood of rain Sunday. The Golden Eagles will take on Southwest Minnesota State at 2 and 4 p.m. in Marshall, Minn. Fri., April 17 and will battle Sioux Falls at 12 and 2 p.m. Sat., April 18 in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Golden Eagles enter the weekend with a 4-34 (0-20 NSIC) mark as they are seeking their first Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) win of the 2015 season. UMC has been led on the year by freshman Victoria Bayliss (OF, West Bloomfield, Mich./Elementary Education), who is hitting .378 with 21 runs scored, nine doubles and 10 runs batted in (RBI's). Allison Foley (Jr., SS, Lockport, Ill./Accounting) has also had a strong season, hitting .333 with 20 runs scored, six doubles, four home runs and 17 RBI's.

In the circle, Jordyn Derflinger (Jr., RHP/OF, Henderson, Nev./Elementary Education) leads the way with a 1-8 mark and a 6.20 earned runs average (ERA) in 49.2 innings pitched. Bailey Braatz (So., RHP, Buffalo, Minn./Sports and Rec Management) is 2-12 with a 6.56 ERA in 89.2 innings pitched.

The Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State are 21-19 (10-8 NSIC) entering Friday. They are coming off a mid-week sweep of nationally ranked Augustana College (S.D.). The Mustangs have been led on their pitchin staff by Alex O'Connor, who is 15-11 with a 3.17 ERA in 165.2 innings pitched. Madisson Chadwick is 2-6 with a 4.97 ERA in 50.2 innings pitched. At the plate, they look to Jazymyne Neely, who is hitting .341 with 19 runs scored, six doubles, one home run and 23 RBI's.

Sioux Falls is 21-17 (7-11 NSIC) entering the weekend. The Cougars split with Wayne State (Neb.) during the week. They are led by Betsy Thomas, who is hitting .354 with 20 runs scored, 11 home runs and 35 RBI's. In the circle, Breanna Black leads the way with a 9-9 mark and a 3.48 ERA in 110.2 innings pitched, while Alyson Netty is 11-8 with a 4.13 ERA in 117.0 innings pitched.

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 a NCAA Division II university located in the Red River Valley of Northwest Minnesota. UMC sponsors 11 intercollegiate athletic teams with membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference (NSIC) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The NSIC is a 16-team conference with schools situated in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.