MINOT, N.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team fell 6-4 to Minot State University and 8-2 to Carroll College Sat., Feb. 24 at the Air-Supported Dome in Minot, N.D.

Minnesota Crookston dropped the first game of Saturday's doubleheader to 6-4 after the Beavers came back from a 4-2 deficit with two runs in the top of the fifth and two in the top of the seventh. In game two of the day against Carroll, the Golden Eagles were tied up 2-2 in the top of the fifth, but the Fighting Saints scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth to propel them to an 8-2 win over Minnesota Crookston.

The Golden Eagles moved to 2-6 on the 2018 season with a pair of losses on Saturday. Minot State moved to 11-3 with the victory. Carroll moved to 6-3 with Saturday's victory over Minnesota Crookston.

Game One vs. Minot State
Mikayla Jones (Jr., RHP, Huxley, Iowa) suffered the loss after giving up three earned runs on five hits in three innings of relief. Jones falls to 1-2 on the season. Luisa Silvain (Jr., RHP, Tucson, Ariz.) got the start and pitched well, giving up just on earned run on five hits in four innings with two strikeouts.

The Golden Eagles were paced at the plate by Mikaela Rodriguez (So., 2B/SS, Laveen, Ariz.), who was 1-of-2 with three RBIs. Gabriel Antolak (Sr., C/3B, Zimmerman, Minn.) finished 2-of-4 with one RBI. Victoria Bayliss (Sr., OF, West Bloomfield, Mich.) was 0-of-0 with one run scored on two walks with one RBI. Khailyn Neumayer (Sr., OF, Morgan Hill, Calif.) finished 1-of-3 with one run scored, while Maggie Morales (Jr., 1B/OF, Tucson, Ariz.) went 1-of-2 with one run scored. Minnesota Crookston left seven runners on base as they were unable to be opportune in their hitting in moments on the game.

The win for the Beavers went to Kylie Patrick, who gave up no runs on two hits with one strikeout and three walks in three innings of relief. Laura Mendez got the start and gave up four runs on four hits in four innings in the circle.

Minot State was led at the plate by Kyla Larson, who was 2-of-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Lauren Cowden finished the game 2-of-3 with two runs scored, while Haley Hernandez was 2-of-3 with one RBI.

The Beavers got the scoring started in the first when Cowden scored on a throwing error by Maycee Trujillo (Jr., 3B/C, Sioux Falls, S.D.) at third base in the top of the first.

Minot State added to their lead in the top of the second when Sami Jo Henry laced a single to center field to bring home Larson and extend the lead to 2-0.

Minnesota Crookston put together a big inning in the bottom of the third. They opened up the frame with three-consecutive singles to load the bases. Bayliss would reach base on a walk to bring Neumayer around to score. With the bases still loaded, Rodriguez doubled down the left field line clearing the bases as she drove in Bayliss, Antolak and Morales to put the Golden Eagles up 4-2.

Minot State would equalize the score in the top of the fifth as the Golden Eagles had two key errors in the frame. Cowden came across for the first run after a throwing error by Antolak on a stolen base by Julia Suchan. Suchan would score later in the frame when Ashley Hill doubled to left field to knot up the score 4-4.

The Golden Eagles had two runners in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the fifth but Patrick got a pop out and a ground out to get out of the threat and keep the game tied up 4-4.

The Beavers came through in the top of the seventh. Larson opened things up by hitting a double to right field to bring in Isis Cabral and move the lead to 5-4. Hernandez then singled to right center to bring Larson home to extend the advantage to 6-4.

Patrick got Minot State through the bottom of the seventh to preserve the 6-4 win.

Game Two vs. Carroll
Paige Pitlick (So., RHP, Jordan, Minn.) got the start and suffered the loss in the 8-2 loss to Carroll. Pitlick gave up two earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts.

Tess Eaton picked up the win for Carroll after giving up just two runs on nine hits with three strikeouts in a complete game for the Fighting Saints.

Rodriguez continued a great day at the plate, as she went was 3-of-4 with two RBIs. Antolak finished 2-of-2 with one run scored. Morales went 2-of-3 with one run, while Trujillo was also 2-of-3.

Carroll was paced by Natalie Gaber, who was 2-of-3 with three RBIS and one run scored. Kendall Mooney finished the game 2-of-3 with two RBIS and two runs scored.

Carroll got the scoring started in game two when Gaber singled through the right side to drive home Anna ApRoberts as the Fighting Saints took a 1-0 lead.
Minnesota Crookston had an opportunity in the top of the second. With two outs Trujillo hit an infield single to try to get something started. Morales then singled through the right side, Trujillo would come around and try to score but she would be thrown out from right field as Carroll held on to the 1-0 advantage.

The Fighting Saints extended their lead to 2-0 when Mooney came around to score on a Brittany Hogan ground out.

Minnesota Crookston had another chance in the top of the third with two on and one out after an Antolak walk and a Rodriguez single. Carroll pitched out of any further trouble to hold the 2-0 lead.

The Golden Eagles put together back-to-back singles from Antolak and Morales to open up the top of the fifth. Taylor Allen (Fr., C/OF, Neepawa, Manitoba) moved the runners over as she grounded out to short stop. Rodriguez delivered in a crucial moment with a double down the left field line to bring home Antolak and Morales to tie the score up 2-2. Rocky Bjorge (So., 1B, Prior Lake, Minn.) grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning with Rodriguez on third and Sam Rarick (Jr., IF, East Grand Forks, Minn.) on first after a walk. Minnesota Crookston still came out the frame even 2-2 with Carroll.

Carroll took the 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth as Williams singled to center field to plate ApRoberts. Williams' single chased Pitlick from the game. Kassidy Klaphake (Sr., RHP, Cold Spring, Minn.) then came on in relief. Gaber then came through with a double to bring in Allison Williams and T.J. Rucker to extend the advantage to 5-2 for the Fighting Saints. Carroll continued their fifth inning onslaught when Mooney tripled to right center to bring home Gaber and Brooke Yarnell to push the score to 7-2. Mooney scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 8-2. Klaphake got Katie Hulsman to line out to get out of the inning. The Fighting Saints held on for the 8-2 victory as Minnesota Crookston was unable to stage a late comeback.

In relief, Klaphake gave up three unearned runs on four hits.

Minnesota Crookston will return to action Sun., Feb. 25 as they take on Minot State at 10 a.m. and Carroll at 12 p.m. in Minot, N.D.