Softball 2/18/2018 5:41:00 PM Shawn D. Smith, Director of Athletic Media Relations

Minnesota Crookston Softball Falls 5-1 to Providence; Wins Two Exhibitions over Dawson Community College

| Box Score 2 MINOT, N.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team concluded the Minot State Invitational Sun., Feb. 18 with a 5-1 loss to University of Providence (Mont.) at the Air-Supported Dome in Minot. N.D.

The Golden Eagles fall to 2-4 on the season with Sunday's loss. Providence moves to 2-0 with the victory over Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles upended Minnesota State University Moorhead 10-1 Sat., Feb. 17 and earned two exhibition victories over Dawson Community College during the four-game tournament.
Luisa Silvain (Jr., RHP, Tucson, Ariz.) got the start in the circle against the Argos. Silvain went 2.1 innings, giving up three earned runs on four hits. Silvain picked up the loss on the day to fall to 1-1. Silvain is off to a strong start on the season. The Pima Community College transfer has posted a 1-1 mark with a 3.34 ERA in 14.2 innings pitched.

Kassidy Klaphake (Sr., RHP, Cold Spring, Minn.) came on in relief and went 4.2innings, allowing just two runs on five hits with one strikeout in a solid relief effort.
The Minnesota Crookston bats were guided by Samantha Proctor (So., C/1B, Champlin, Minn.), who was 3-of-3 with one run scored. Maggie Morales (Jr., 1B/OF, Tucson, Ariz.) finished 2-of-3 with one RBI, while Gabriel Antolak (Sr., C/3B, Zimmerman, Minn.) was 2-of-4 for the day.

Providence looked to the pitching of Kristina George, who went seven innings, giving up just one runs on nine hits with six strikeouts.

The Golden Eagles had nine hits on the day but struggled to have opportune hits to get runs across.

The Argos got the scoring started in the top of the third as Gabrielle Canibeyaz came through with a double to left center to drive in Bailey Henderson and Karlie Southworth. The double drove Silvain from the game, as Klaphake came on in relief for the Golden Eagles. Providence added a run to move the advantage to 3-0 when Gonzales singled in Canibeyaz.

Minnesota Crookston had bases loaded in the bottom of the third with two outs following singles from Antolak and Victoria Bayliss (Sr., OF, West Bloomfield, Mich.) and a double from Morales. However, Providence pitched out of any further danger as they held the 3-0 lead.

The Argos added two runs in the top of the fourth. The scoring started when Southworth singled up the middle to bring Hanna Tarum home. Later in the frame, Canibeyaz singled up the middle to bring in Ashton Bell to move the lead for Providence to 5-0.

The Golden Eagles threatened in the bottom of the fourth as they had two on when Haley Stachan (Jr., OF, Phoenix, Ariz.) reached on an error and Proctor singled. Morales then singled up the middle to drive in Proctor. Strachan tried to score from second but was thrown out at home from center field. Proctor's run cut the lead to 5-1.
Neither team would put much together the rest of the way as Providence took the game 5-1.

The Golden Eagles won 6-4 over Dawson Community College in an exhibition Sat., Feb. 17. Silvain got the win in relief after going two innings and shutting out Dawson Community College with no runs on two hits.

Paige Pitlick (So., RHP, Jordan, Minn.) got the start against Dawson and went 3.2 innings, allowing no runs on three hits with five strikeouts.

Minnesota Crookston looked to Bayliss in the exhibition, as she was 2-of-4 with one run scored. Rocky Bjorge (So., 1B, Prior Lake, Minn.) was 1-of-3 with one RBI and one run scored, while Morales was 2-of-3 with one RBI.

In their second exhibition against Dawson Community College, the Golden Eagles picked up a 6-1 victory. Heather Cunningham (Sr., RHP, Jacksonville, Fla.) got the start and earned the win after allowing just one runs on six hits with one strikeout. Pitlick came on in relief and gave up just one hit in one inning.

The Golden Eagles were led at the plate by Antolak, who was 3-of-5 with one RBI and two runs scored. Mikaela Rodriguez (So., 2B/SS, Laveen, Ariz.) finished 2-of-3 with one RBI and two runs scored. Proctor was 2-of-4 with two RBI's, while Strachan was also 2-of-4.

Minnesota Crookston will return next weekend for the second Minot State Invitational. The Golden Eagles open the tournament Sat., Feb. 24 as they take on Minot State at 12 p.m. and Carroll College (Mont.) at 2 p.m.