CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team will open up play at the 2016 Tucson Invitational Sun., March 13. The Golden Eagles will play 12 games during the trip from March 13-18.

Minnesota Crookston enters the trip with a 0-8 mark on the season. The Golden Eagles have been led by Gabriel Antolak (So., C/3B, Zimmerman, Minn.), who is hitting .368 with three runs scored, one home run and two RBI's. In addition to Antolak, Brooke Timmins (Sr., C, Magnolia, Texas) is hitting .333 with two runs scored, two home runs and four RBI's, while Allison Foley (Sr., SS, Lockport, Ill.) is batting .304 with five runs scored and three RBI's. The Golden Eagles are hitting .259 as a team.

UMC has struggled in the circle, coming in with a 13.50 team ERA. Heather Cunningham (So., RHP, Jacksonville, Fla.) has led the Golden Eagles with a 10.80 ERA in 20 innings pitched with 24 earned runs allowed.

The Golden Eagles will open the trip March 13 at 10 a.m. C.T. as they take on Valley City State University at the Lincoln Park North Fields.

Valley City State is 7-1 so far on the season. The Vikings have been led by Kelli Moore, who is batting .429 with six runs scored, three home runs and nine RBI's. Katie Cameron comes in hitting .400 with three runs scored, one home run and seven RBI's.

In the circle, the Vikings have looked to Morgan Nailey, who is 6-1 with a 2.15 ERA in 39 innings pitched this season.

UMC's day will continue March 13 at 12 a.m. C.T. as they take on Dickinson State University at the Lincoln Park North Fields.

Dickinson State enters the week with a 4-4 record on the season. The Blue Hawks are led by Alex Vargas, who is hitting .520 with seven runs scored, four home runs and 13 RBI's. McKenzie Kenobbie is hitting .417 with eight runs scored and one RBI on the season.

Dickinson State is led in the circle by Amanda Flores, who is 1-0 with a 0.46 ERA in 15.1 innings pitched.

The next day, UMC will open up the day by taking on Denison University at 10 a.m. C.T. at the Lincoln Park North Fields.

Denison is 0-0 on the season as they open up the season at the Tucson Invitational. The Big Red went 22-19 on the 2015 season. Denison is led by Lauren Secaras, who hit .431 last season with 16 runs scored, 14 doubles, four home runs and 37 RBI's. In addition, Kerry Hager hit .336 last season with 22 runs scored and 22 RBI's.

In the circle, the Big Red looks to Secaras, who was 11-7 with a 2.62 ERA in 112.1 innings pitched last season.

UMC will then take on Dickinson State at 12 p.m. C.T. at the Lincoln Park North Fields.

The day will continue Mon., March 14 at 3 p.m. C.T. as they take on Mount Marty College at the Lincoln Park North Fields.

Mount Marty comes in with a 1-1 mark on the season. The Lancers went 13-26 last season. Mount Marty returns Amber Krause, who hit 381 with 38 runs scored, 13 doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI's last season.  Cassidy Janicek hit .346 with eight runs scored and 19 RBI's last season.

Krause led the pitching staff last season with a 6-13 mark and 5.83 ERA in 117.2 innings pitched last season.

Tues., March 15, UMC will take on Valley City State at 10 a.m. C.T. at the Lincoln Park South Fields.

The Golden Eagles will battle Mayville State University Tues., March 15 at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. C.T. at the Lincoln Park South Fields.

Mayville State is 2-2 on the season. The Comets are led by Haley Wedgewood, who is hitting .571 with three runs scored, two home runs and four RBI's. Nina Gurgian is batting .444 with two runs scored, while Tiffany Soria is hitting .417 with one run scored, one home run and six RBI's.

In the circle, the Comets are led by Monica Gomez, who is 1-1 with a 3.82 ERA in 7.1 innings pitched.

UMC will have an off day March 16, before returning to action Thurs., March 17 against Mayville State at 10 a.m. C.T. at the Lincoln Park North Fields.

The Golden Eagles will then take on Robert Morris University (Illinois) Thurs., March 17 at 2:30 p.m. C.T. at the Lincoln Park North Fields.

The Eagles open their season at the Tucson Invitational. Robert Morris went 4-18 during the 2015 season. The Eagles are led by Joey Crockett, who hit .313 with 30 runs scored, seven home runs and 30 RBI's last season. In addition, Alysse Bagley, who hit .298 last season with 10 runs scored and 14 RBI's.

The Robert Morris pitching staff is led by Bobbi Gottschammer, who was 2-16 with a 5.68 ERA in 98.2 innings pitched last season.

Minnesota Crookston will face-off with Crown College Fri., March 18 at 10 a.m. C.T. at the Lincoln Park North Fields.

Crown comes in with a 3-1 mark on the season. The Storm is led by Sofia Palacios, who is hitting .444 on the season. Cassidy Valenzuela comes in hitting .400 with three runs scored and one RBI.

In the circle, Cearra Dulaney leads the way with a 2-0 mark and a 1.40 ERA in 15 innings pitched.
The Golden Eagles will conclude play at the Tucson Invitational Fri., March 18 at 12 p.m. C.T. against Carleton College at the Lincoln Park North Fields.

Carleton is 3-1 on the 2016 season. The Knights have been led by Anna Lauko, who is hitting .545 with five runs scored and one RBI. Molly Steinberg comes in hitting .400 with three runs scored and six RBI's.

In the circle, Maddie Sherwood leads the way with a 2-0 mark and 3.11 ERA in nine innings pitched.