SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team found themselves on the wrong end of a doubleheader as they dropped two games to the University of Augustana 7-3 and 8-0.. The Golden Eagles would battle early with the Vikings in both games but late game surges would be the demise of an attempt to put a nine game win streak by Augustana to rest. Minnesota Crookston drops to 7-29 overall and 1-15 in conference play and Augustana increases their win streak to 11 as they are now 28-11 overall and 15-2 in the NSIC.

Game one of the day would have a slow start as neither team was able to get much going early. The game would remain scoreless up until the fourth inning where Augustana was able to generate some offense. Kaylea Schorr (So., IF, Mantorville, Minn.) would be able to gain momentum for her team as she stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and hit a grand slam to center field to put the first four runs of the game on the board. The Golden Eagles were able to prevent any further damage as they secured a pop fly to right field to end the inning.

Minnesota Crookston would do their best to stop the Viking's run but a home run from Sara Kennedy (Jr., IF, Bettendorf, Iowa) put Augustana up 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth. The Vikings would score again in the bottom of the sixth as Maddie Merriam (Sr., IF, Rapid City, S.D.) doubled to drive in Schorr to put the score at 7-0 in favor of the Vikings.

 UMC would battle with their backs against the wall down seven in the final inning of the game. Brooke Timmins (Sr., C, Magnolia, Texas) would get things going  as she pinch hit for Maycee Trujillo (Fr., C/3B, Sioux Falls, S.D.) and found herself hitting a double to center field. Lexie Santoyo (Fr., OF, Kansas City, Mo.) would pinch run for Timmins and advance to third after a wild Augustana pitch. Kristi Larson (Sr., IF, New Ulm, Minn.) would reach on a fielding error and Santoyo would take advantage and score the first Golden Eagle run of the game. Jozie Garner (Jr., OF, Eureka, Kan.) would then single to left field advancing Larson to second. As Victoria Bayliss (So., 2B/OF/P, West Bloomington, Mich.) reached on another fielding error from the Vikings, Garner and Larson would both score unearned runs. With two outs, Allison Foley (Sr., SS, Lockport, Ill.) would step to the plate but would line out to third concluding the game with a score of 7-3.

In game two, pitchers Bailey Braatz (Jr., P/DP, Buffalo, Minn.) and Karlee Koopman (Jr., P/1B, Boulder City, Nev.) would be at their prime as Braatz only gave up one hit through five innings and Koopman would only give up two hits in the entire game. The defensive showcase that took place through five came to an end in the bottom of the sixth when the Augustana bats came alive. The Vikings would be busy in the sixth as they scored eight runs to secure their 11^th win in a row.

With two on base, Carly Pickett (Sr., P, Maplewood, Minn.) would hit a single up the middle, batting in two runs for the first scores of the game. The Golden Eagles would be in bad shape as Augustana loaded the bases with no outs. Maggie Kadrlik (So., C/OF, Inner Grove Heights, Minn.) would be walked which resulted in a score with the bases still loaded. Jordyn Derflinger (Sr., P/OF, Henderson, Nev.) would come in to take the helm and attempt to dig the Golden Eagles out of a dangerous hole. UMC would commit their first error of the game but it would lead to two more runs. Schorr would then single to first base driving in the sixth run of the inning. Schorr would then advance to second on a wild pitch. Merriam would single to left field and go on to steal second while also scoring Samantha Eisenreich (Fr., IF/OF, St. Cloud, Minn.) on the play. Morgan Beaner (So., UT, Harrisburg, S.D.) would then single down the right field line scoring Schorr which would put an end to the game. Augusta would win 8-0.

The Golden Eagles will look to bounce back on the road as they face the University of Minnesota Duluth at Junction Avenue Field. The games will start at 1 P.M. and 3 P.M. on April 12. The Bulldogs enter the contest with a conference record of 11-5.