CLERMONT, Fla. – The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team suffered a narrow 3-2 loss to University of Northwestern Ohio Sat., March 17. The loss ended their time at The Spring Games – PFX Athletics at Legends Way Ballfields at the National Training Center in Clermont, Fla.

The Golden Eagles were knotted up 2-2 going into extra innings against the Racers, but Northwestern Ohio got a double from Carson Baymiller in the eighth inning to drive in Malorie Huber. The Racers came away with the 3-2 victory.

Minnesota Crookston ended their trip to Florida with a 4-18 overall mark. The Golden Eagles were 1-11 in the Sunshine State with their lone victory coming over Post University. Minnesota Crookston came close in several games as they had five losses by two or less runs during their excursion. Northwestern Ohio moved to 11-4 on the 2018 season.

Luisa Silvain (Jr., RHP, Tucson, Ariz.) got the start and gave up two runs on five hits in one frame. Mikayla Jones (Jr., RHP, Huxley, Iowa) put forth an excellent effort in the circle over 5.1 innings as she allowed no runs on two hits with two strikeouts and three walks in 5.1 innings of work. Paige Pitlick (So., RHP, Jordan, Minn.) ended up suffering the loss as she gave up one unearned run on one hit in one inning.

Northwestern Ohio was guided by Aubrey Brunst, who allowed two unearned runs on four hits with four strikeouts in eight innings in the circle.

Minnesota Crookston was led at the plate by Haley Strachan (Jr., OF, Phoenix, Ariz.), who was 2-of-3 with one run scored. Victoria Bayliss (Sr., OF, West Bloomfield, Mich.) finished the game 1-of-4 with one run scored, while Mikaela Rodriguez (So., 2B/SS, Laveen, Ariz.) was 1-of-3.
The Racers looked to Baymiller, who was 2-of-4 with one RBI and one run scored. Grace Jackson finished 1-of-3 with one run scored, while Mackenzie Watson, Kennedy Arndt and Macey Harder all went 1-of-2.

Minnesota Crookston opened up the scoring in the top of the first as Strachan scored on an error at third base on a Bayliss fielder's choice. Bayliss would come around to score later in the frame as Khailyn Neumayer (Sr., OF, Morgan Hill, Calif.) grounded out.

Northwestern Ohio cut the lead to 2-1 as an error by Neumayer, allowed Jackson to come into score. Silvain got out of the inning holding the 2-1 advantage.

The Racers chased Silvain from the game when Watson doubled to plate Baymiller to knot the game up 2-2. Jones came on in relief and was able to secure the final two outs of the frame.

Minnesota Crookston put up a threat in the top of the third as Strachan and Bayliss put together back-to-back singles with one out. Both would advance on stolen bases to give the Golden Eagles a pair of runners in scoring position. However, the Golden Eagles were unable to score Strachan and Bayliss as the score stayed knotted up 2-2.

Northwestern Ohio would have the next scoring opportunity in the bottom of the fifth when Kendall Benning reached on a Rodriguez error at short stop, followed by a walk offered to Harder. Jones got a strikeout and a popout to get out of the inning unscathed.

The Racers finally broke through in extra innings as they earned a walk-off win when Baymiller doubled to drive in Huber to secure the 3-2 victory.

Minnesota Crookston is scheduled to play a non-conference game March 21 at 2 p.m. at Mayville State University. Stay tuned to goldeneaglesports.com to see if the game is still on or for any location changes.