TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team picked up a split Thurs., March 17 as they defeated Robert Morris University 3-1 and fell to Valley City State University 9-6. The games were played at Lincoln Regional Park in Tucson, Ariz. as part of the Tucson Invitational.

Minnesota Crookston was led by the pitching of Bailey Braatz (Sr., RHP, Buffalo, Minn.), who went seven innings and gave up just one earned run on five hits with six strikeouts. Braatz has had an impressive start to her senior season as she is 6-3 with a 3.24 ERA in 54.0 innings pitched.

In game two, the Golden Eagles got out to 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth. However, Minnesota Crookston ran into some trouble in the bottom of the fourth inning as the Golden Eagles would end up gave up six runs on six hits in the frame. The Golden Eagles would get three runs in the top of the seventh, but would fall short 9-6 to Valley City State University.

Minnesota Crookston sits at 8-11 on the season heading into their final three games in Tucson, Ariz. The Golden Eagles have gone 4-4 in Tucson through their first eight games. Minnesota Crookston is just four wins from tying their all-time wins mark of 12 set during the 2004 season. Robert Morris dropped to 2-7 with the loss, while Valley City State improved to 11-12. The Golden Eagles are 0-2 against the Vikings this season with one game remaining Fri., March 17 at 1 p.m. C.T.

The Golden Eagles would get the scoring started in game one against the Eagles of Robert Morris. Samantha Proctor (Fr., C, Champlin, Minn.) would hit a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Hailey Fitzpatrick (Fr., IF, Becker, Minn.), who reached on a single.

Robert Morris would knot the game up at 1-1 as Chrissy Polka hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first.

Minnesota Crookston would get things going again in the top of the fifth started off with a single to right field from Rocky Bjorge (Fr., 1B, Priot Lake, Minn.). The Golden Eagles would load the bases as Maycee Trujillo (So., 3B, Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Jenna Boardman (Jr., 2B/SS, Genoa, Wis.) Both reached on errors. Pinch-runner Kate Howell (Sr., OF, Badger, Minn.) would score as Jozie Garner (Sr., OF, Eureka, Minn.) reached on a fielder's choice in which Robert Morris didn't make a throw.

Pinch-runner Sam Rarick (So., UT, East Grand Forks, Minn.) would cross the plate to make it 3-1 as Fitzpatrick reached on an error at first base. The Golden Eagles would be able to hold the lead with Braatz's strong pitching performance as they picked up the victory.

Minnesota Crookston was led at the plate by Victoria Bayliss (Jr., O, West Bloomfield, Mich.), who was 2-of-3 from the field. Maggie Morales (So., OF/1B, Tucson, Ariz.), Bjorge and Boardman all hit 1-of-3.

The loss for Robert Morris went to Kelly McCasland, who gave up one earned run on three hits in five innings.

In game two, Jones would get the start and would pitch well through three innings. She would give up just one run on five hits. In the fifth frame, she would give up five earned runs on three hits. Jones falls to 0-4 on the season with the loss.

Valley City State would open up the scoring in the bottom of the first when Cassie Pautz grounded out to first base to drive in Jayme Menard.

Minnesota Crookston would respond in the top of the second as they got two runs to make it 2-1. Morgan Duda (So., OF, Clinton Township, Mich.) hit a ground-rule double to drive in Samantha LeMay (Sr., DP, Belle Plaine, Minn.) and Gabriel Antolak (Jr., 3B/C, Zimmerman, Minn.). Rarick would then hit a single to plate Duda.

Valley City State would start out their big fourth inning with an Emily Smith ground-rule double. Jones would load the bases with walks to Kadie Anderson and Kelsey Hamade. Menard then singled to right field to drive in Smith. The Vikings would continue the scoring barrage as Pautz doubled to left center to clear the bases, driving in Menard, Hamade and Anderson.

Sammy Knudson (Sr., RHP, Fergus Falls, Minn.) would come on to relieve Jones after the double. She would give up a walk to Kelli Moore and singles to Tatum Lundin and Morgan Nalley to load up the bases. Knudson would then be pulled in favor of Heather Cunningham (Jr., RHP, Jacksonville, Fla.). Cunningham would get a big strikeout of Smith to get two out. Anderson would then reach on an infield single to drive in Moore. Cunningham would get out of the frame with a groundout but not without the damage done as the Vikings led 7-3.

Valley City State added two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Lundin opened up the scoring with a blast to left field. Smith would cross the plate to make it 9-3 on a Kathleen Gallais fielder's choice.

Minnesota Crookston would threaten in the bottom of the seventh as they looked to make up six runs. With runners on the corners, Antolak would reach on a dropped ball in center as Bayliss crossed the plate. Khailyn Neumayer (Jr., OF, Morgan Hill, Calif.) would reach on an error at second as Antolak and Paige Pitlick (Fr., RHP/IF, Jordan, Minn.) crossed the plate. Ashley Metcalif would get out of any further damage for the Vikings as she picked up the save with a groundout.

Nalley would get the win after giving up three earned runs on six hits with 10 strikeouts. Metcalf would give up no earned runs on two hits in the save.

Knudson would give up one earned run on two hits in her pitching appearance for the U of M Crookston. Cunningham would give up one earned run on three hits with two strikeouts in 2.2 innings pitched for Minnesota Crookston.

The Golden Eagles were led at the plate in game two by Duda, who was 2-of-4 with two RBI's and one run scored. Rarick would go 2-of-3 with one RBI, while Antolak was 1-of-4 with two runs scored.

Minnesota Crookston will face Valley City State at 1 p.m. C.T. and Midland University at 3:30 p.m. C.T. at Lincoln Regional Park in Tucson, Ariz.