CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team will head to Minot, N.D. for two regular-season games and two exhibitions Sat., Feb. 17 and Sun., Feb. 18. The games are to be played at the Minot State University Air-Supported Dome.
Sat., Feb. 17
Minnesota Crookston vs. MSU Moorhead, 8 a.m., Minot, N.D.
Live Stats - http://www.sidearmstats.com/minotstate/softball/
Sun., Feb. 18
Minnesota Crookston vs. Providence, 10 a.m., Minot, N.D.
Live Stats - http://www.sidearmstats.com/minotstate/softball/
No stats for exhibitions against Dawson Community College, Sat., Feb. 17 at 12 p.m. and Sun., Feb. 18 at 10 a.m.
The Golden Eagles started the 2018 season with a 1-3 mark last weekend, including a 9-1 win over NSIC foe Northern State University. Minnesota Crookston will look to continue to show improvement heading into week two.
Minnesota Crookston will open the tournament by taking on Minnesota State University Moorhead at 8 a.m. Feb. 17. The Golden Eagles will then face Dawson Community College in an exhibition at 12 p.m. the same day. Minnesota Crookston will continue play at the tournament Sun., Feb. 18 at 8 a.m. with a second exhibition against Dawson Community College. The Golden Eagles will conclude the Minot State Invitational Sun., Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. versus University of Providence (Mont.).
The Golden Eagles were led in their opening weekend by the hitting of
Jenna Boardman (Sr., SS/2B, Genoa, Wis.), who hit an impressive .636 in 11 at-bats with four runs scored, two doubles, two triples and four RBIs. Newcomer
Mikaela Rodriguez (So., SS/2B, Laveen, Ariz.) had a strong debut for the Maroon and Gold. The Briar Cliff University transfer hit .455 with two home runs, four RBIs and four runs scored.
Maycee Trujillo (Jr., 3B/C, Sioux Falls, S.D.) hit .429 in seven at-bats with two RBIs, while
Rocky Bjorge (So., 1B, Prior Lake, Minn.) batted .333 with two runs scored, one double and one RBI.
In the circle,
Mikayla Jones (Jr., RHP, Huxley, Iowa) set the standard for Minnesota Crookston as she was 1-1 with a 3.50 ERA in 10.0 innings pitched.
Luisa Silvain (Jr., RHP, Tucson, Ariz.) was also strong as she went 0-0 with a 4.00 ERA in seven innings pitched, while
Kassidy Klaphake (Sr., RHP, Cold Spring, Minn.) was 0-2 with a 5.83 ERA in six innings pitched.
MSU Moorhead will officially open the 2018 season against the Golden Eagles Saturday. The Dragons went 12-37 last season. MSU Moorhead returns Madison Paige, who hit .328 as a freshman with 16 doubles, eight runs scored, two home runs and 19 RBIs. Payton Gaber also returns to the fray after hitting .317 with eight runs scored, four doubles and five RBIs, while Taylor Roddie had a .314 batting average with 22 runs scored, seven doubles, one triple, four home runs and 25 RBIs.
In the circle, sophomore Tori White returns after posting a 4-12 mark with a 4.03 ERA in 100.2 innings pitched.
Dawson Community College, a junior college in Glendive, Mont., went 23-12 last season. The games against them will not count towards Minnesota Crookston's record.
Providence posted a 14-24 mark last season. They will officially open up the 2018 season this weekend. The Lady Argos are led by senior Kylie Gonzales, who hit .347 last season with 23 runs scored, nine doubles, nine home runs and 41 RBIs. Also returning for Providence is senior Bailey Henderson, who hit .299 last season with 26 runs scored, 12 doubles, one triple and 20 RBIs.
In the circle, the Lady Argos return senior Kristina George, who posted a 1-8 mark with a 3.59 ERA in 66.1 innings pitched.
Providence is a NAIA affiliate, located in Great Falls, Mont. The Lady Argos compete in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
