TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team fell in three games Tues., March 14 in the Tucson Invitational. The Golden Eagles gave up 10 runs in the fifth inning and sixth inning as they fell 15-8 to Denison University in game one. In game two, UMC gave up nine runs in the first and stopped Dickinson State from there but was unable to come back as they fell 9-4 in game two. In game three, the Golden Eagles fell on a McCafferty two-RBI single in the seventh as they lost to Mount Marty College, 7-6.

UMC dropped to 0-13 on the season with the losses.

UMC got a strong performance in game three from Heather Cunningham (So., RHP, Jacksonville, Fla.) on the mound as she went six innings and gave up just four earned run on seven hits with five strikeouts.

In game three, the UMC offense was led by Allison Foley (Sr., SS, Lockport, Ill.), who went 2-of-3 with one RBI and one run scored, while Gabriel Antolak (So., C/3B, Zimmerman, Minn.) was 2-of-3 with one run scored and Sam Rarick (Fr., DH, East Grand Forks, Minn.) was 2-of-3 with two runs scored.

In game two, Mikayla Jones (Fr., RHP, Huxley, Iowa) suffered the loss but gave up just one earned run on 10 hits in six innings pitched.

At the plate, UMC looked to Foley, who was 2-of-3 with two RBI's and two runs scored, including a home run.

In game one, Bailey Braatz (Jr., RHP, Buffalo, Minn.) struggled in the circle as she gave up eight earned runs on seven hits with three walks in four innings pitched.

The UMC bats looked to Alexis Khoshaba (Sr., OF, Richmond, British Columbia), who was 2-of-2 with three RBI's. Maggie Morales (Fr., OF, Tucson, Ariz.) went 2-of-4 with one run scored, while Sammy Kuhlow (So., 1B/OF, Big Lake, Minn.) went 3-of-3 with two RBI's anmd one run scored.

In game one, UMC would get on board first as Khoshaba doubled to drive in Victoria Bayliss (So., 2B, West Bloomfield, Mich.). Denison would answer when Secaras tripled to knock in Herold to make it 1-1.

The Golden Eagles would come through with a big second inning starting off when Bayliss singled to drive in Kate Howell (Jr., OF, Badger, Minn.) Khoshaba then walked with the bases loaded and Kuhlow scored. The next at-bat, Antolak walked, allowing Bayliss to score to make it 4-1.

The Golden Eagles would add runs in the third as Bayliss reached on an error, allowing Morales to score. Denison then walked in another run as Khoshaba walked, allowing Lexie Santoyo (Fr., OF, Kansas City, Mo.) to cross the plate to make it 6-1.

Denison would get one run back in the third when Kerry Hager hit a sacrifice fly to score Sarah Herold. They would come through with a big fourth inning led by a Ricki Asher double to plate Amanda Howell. The Big Red would have the lead cut to 6-5 at the end of the fourth.

The Big Red would come through again and would take the lead as Erinn Henry crossed the plate on a wild pitch. Ryan Lee would then hit a two-run home run to drive in herself and Howell. Denison would end the fifth with a 10-6 lead.

The Golden Eagles would cut the lead to 10-8 in the sixth when Kuhlow singled to drive in Antolak and Kaylin Beatty (Sr., OF, Andover, Minn.).

Denison would solidify the win in the sixth led by a Bagan triple to drive in Howell and a McKinly Vazquez two-RBI triple as they would win 15-8.

In game two, the Golden Eagles would again get out to the early lead. Foley would triple to drive in Bayliss to make it 1-0. Antolak then singled to drive in Foley. However, the Golden Eagles would run into trouble in the first. The Blue Hawks of Dickinson State were led by a Morgan Glowa two-RBI double to drive in Shannen Donnelly and Brenda Cruz and a Alex Vargas double to plate Monique Yslas and McKenzie Kenobbie.

Jones and the Golden Eagles would be able to hold steady from there and keep Dickinson State at bay.

The Golden Eagles would get a run back in the top of the third on a Foley solo shot to cut the lead to 9-3.

UMC got another run back in the fifth when Jozie Garner (Jr., OF, Eureka, Kan.) scored on a wild pitch.

The Golden Eagles were unable to come all the way back and would fall 9-4 to Dickinson State.

UMC would give it everything they had in game three against Mount Marty. The Golden Eagles would again get on the scoreboard first as Khoshaba singled to drive in Bayliss to make it 1-0.

Mount Marty would respond in the first when Bianca Minor crossed the plate on a Destiny Garza ground out.

The Golden Eagles would take the lead again as Rarick came through in the clutch, driving in Antolak and Kuhlow to make it 3-1.

Mount Marty would get a run back in the fourth when Kelsey Mitera stole home to cut the lead to 3-2.

UMC would put together a solid fifth inning led by a Brooke Timmins (Sr., C, magnolia, Texas) single to drive in Foley and a Morales double to plate Timmins. The Golden Eagles would extend their lead to 5-2 with the inning.

Mount Marty would cut the deficit to 5-3 in the fifth when Melissa Richert singled to drive in Jean Zakrzewski.

However, the Golden Eagles would respond with a run of their own in the sixth as Foley hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Garner to make it 6-3.

The Lancers got one back in the sixth when Mitera singled to drive in Boyle to cut the lead to 6-4.

Braatz would come on in relief in the bottom of the seventh to try to hold the lead for the Golden Eagles. After striking out Minor, Richert would single but be caught stealing. With two out, Braatz would load up the bases. The Lancers would cut the lead to 6-5 when Rodriguez scored on a passed ball. Amanda McCafferty would then come through with a two RBI single to drive in Mitera and Erin Boyle.

The Golden Eagles will look to bounce back as they take on Valley City State University at 10 a.m. C.T. They will then battle Mayville State University at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. C.T.