CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team was within striking distance in both games of Saturday's doubleheader against Augustana University, but ultimately fell 8-2 and 3-0.
The Golden Eagles had strong efforts in both games. They were powered by back-to-back home runs in the second inning from
Khailyn Neumayer (Jr., OF, Morgan Hill, Calif.) and
Gabriel Antolak (Jr., 3B/C, Zimmerman, Minn.). In addition,
Kassidy Klaphake (Jr., RHP, Cold Spring, Minn.) had a strong outing out of the bullpen, as she allowed just one run on one hit with one strikeout in two innings. Augustana would win the first game 8-2.
In game two, Minnesota Crookston was led by a pair of impressive pitching performances as
Sammy Knudson (Sr., RHP, Fergus Falls, Minn.) and
Heather Cunningham (Jr., RHP, Jacksonville, Fla.) limited the Vikings to just three runs on the day. Augustana took the second game 3-0 as the Golden Eagles were unable to put a dent into the lead despite several chances.
Minnesota Crookston drops to 11-32-1 (1-20-1 NSIC). The Golden Eagles remain just one win away from tying the school record for victories in a season, which was set in 2004 with 12 wins. Minnesota Crookston is currently looking to shatter a 17-game losing streak. The U of M Crookston has come close in the last six games with one-run losses to Concordia University-St. Paul and University of Mary and a pair of 3-0 loss to Augustana and Concordia-St. Paul.
Augustana improved to 33-11 (18-4 NSIC) with the pair of wins. The Vikings remain in third place in the NSIC Standings.
Game One
Bailey Braatz (Sr., RHP, Buffalo, Minn.), a four-year starter for the Golden Eagles, got the call in the circle for Minnesota Crookston on Senior Day. Braatz gave up seven earned runs on 12 hits with three strikeouts in the loss.
Augustana scattered 13 hits on the game, while the U of M Crookston was limited to just three on the game.
Sarah Kennedy came across the plate for the first run of the game for the Vikings on a Christina Pickett single to right field.
The Vikings added two runs in the top of the second as Kennedy continued her strong game for Augie with a single to drive in Maggie Dunnett and Kara McDougall.
The Golden Eagles got the two runs back in the bottom of the second as Neumayer and Antolak blasted back-to-back shots over the fence. The shot was Neumayer's first of her Golden Eagle career, while Antolak's was her team-leading fifth of the season.
The Vikings added two runs in the fourth when Samantha Eisenreich powered a home run to drive in herself and Dunnett.
Augustana added two more runs in the sixth as Kennedy again came through for the Vikings. She hit a double to right field to bring home Schorr and Eisenreich to push the lead to 7-2.
The Vikings added one more run in the seventh as Dunnett hit a solo shot to make it 8-2.
Lexy Pederson picked up the win for Augie after giving up two earned runs on three hits with 13 strikeouts in the complete game.
Minnesota Crookston was paced by Neumayer and Antolak, who were both 1-of-3 with one run scored and one RBI on their respective home runs.
Game Two
Knudson, another four-year senior for the U of M Crookston, got the game two start for the Golden eagles. She pitched one of her best outings of her career, giving up just two runs on nine hits in 3.1 innings as she put Minnesota Crookston in a position to win against one of the conference's top teams.
Knudson has put together a strong season, posting a 3.68 Earned Runs Average (ERA) in 13.1 innings pitched.
Cunningham also threw a great outing for the Golden Eagles, as she gave up just one run on six hits with one strikeout. Cunningham has been an ace out of the bullpen this season. Her ERA is down to 4.62 in 36.1 innings pitched.
Olivia Wolters won the pitcher's duel with a complete game two-hit shutout of the Golden Eagles. She posted five strikeouts in the appearance.
The Vikings started out the scoring when Pickett singled up the middle to plate Schorr, who had tripled to lead off the game.
Augustana added a run in the top of the third when Pickett singled in Kennedy.
The Vikings would have a great opportunity in the top of the fourth with the bases loaded. However, with one out Kennedy's single through the right side hit Schorr running to second base, putting Schorr out on the play and preventing the runners from second and third from scoring. Cunningham ended the threat with a strike out of Pickett to hold the Augie lead at 2-0.
Minnesota Crookston had a great opportunity in the bottom of the fourth after walks to
Maggie Morales (So., 1B/OF, Tucson, Ariz.) and Antolak and a Neumayer double. However, Wolters struck out the last two batters of the frame to keep the game at 2-0 in favor of the Vikings.
Augustana added a run in the top of the seventh when Kylie Rome doubled to center field to score Pickett. The Vikings would on for the 3-0 win to pick up the Saturday sweep.
The Golden Eagles looked to Neumayer and Antolak, who continued their strong days with the two hits for the game for U of M Crookston.
Four U of M Crookston seniors were honored before the game in Senior Day ceremonies. Braatz, Knudson,
Jozie Garner (Sr., OF, Eureka, Kan.) and
Samantha LeMay (Sr., DP, Belle Plane, Minn.) were recognized for their role in helping to raise the standard for Golden Eagle softball. The team had 11 wins last season and has the same amount this year, as they look to break the school record for victories with eight games left on the year.
Minnesota Crookston will wrap up their home slate April 23 at 1 and 3 p.m. versus Wayne State College (Neb.) at UMC Softball Field.
