MINOT, N.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team fell 8-5 and 4-2 to Montana State University Billings and Northern State University at the Air-Supported Dome in Minot, N.D. The Yellowjackets scored five runs in the first two innings. Minnesota Crookston attempted to come back with four runs in the final two stanzas. In game two, Northern State tallied three runs in the fourth and fifth innings on their way to a 4-2 victory.

Minnesota Crookston moved to 6-6 on the season. The Golden Eagles continue to be off to one of the program's best starts in school history. Minnesota Crookston was 4-8 through their first 12 games last season. The Golden Eagles are seven wins from tying their school-record 13 wins from the 2019 season. Northern State sits at 7-0 during the 2020 slate. Montana State Billings has a 6-9 record.

Game One
Montana State Billings got on the scoreboard early with five runs in the first two innings led by a two-RBI single from Britzy Hockett. Minnesota Crookston attempted to climb back into the fray led by Cassie Querry (Jr., C/3B, Cassville, Pa.), who had a two RBI double and a solo home run. However, the Yellowjackets hung on for the 8-5 victory.

Kamryn Frisk (Sr., RHP, Anchorage, Alaska) got the ball in the circle and allowed six runs on 12 hits over four innings of work. Frisk suffered the loss during Sunday's first game. Alina Avalos (Fr., RHP, Riverside, Calif.) came on in relief and was strong overall, allowing just two runs on three hits in three innings with four strikeouts and two walks.

Alyssa Etheridge got the victory for Montana State Billings after allowing three runs on six hits over six innings with seven strikeouts and two walks. Haley Couch came on in relief and allowed two runs on two hits over one inning.

Minnesota Crookston was paced by Querry, who was 2-of-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. Malia Pula (Sr., UT, Gilroy, Calif.) continued her strong start to her senior season, going 2-of-3 with one run scored. Hannah Macias (So., OF, West Covina, Calif.) went 1-of-2 with two RBIs.

Montana State Billings was lifted by Morgan Quimby, who was 4-of-4 with one run scored. Hockett went 3-of-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Skyler Jenkins finished 3-of-4 with one RBI and a run scored.
The Yellowjackets got the scoring started as Hockett scored after a Marin Penney fielder's choice.

Montana State Billings added four runs in the top of the second. The Yellowjackets added to their lead as Hockett had a two RBI single to plate Cailee Morgan and Etheridge to extend the advantage to 3-0. Brittanee Fisher used an RBI single to drive in Quimby and Hockett to extend the lead to 5-0.

Minnesota Crookston got a run back in the second inning when Hannah Macias tripled to bring in her twin sister Leah Macias (So., OF, West Covina, Calif.) to trim the lead to 5-1.

Montana State Billings pushed the lead to 6-1 in the fifth frame as Penney scored on a Jenkins ground out.

The Golden Eagles cut the deficit to 6-2 in the sixth inning when Querry hit her fourth home run of the season. The Golden Eagles cut the lead to 6-3 with a Macias sacrifice fly to right field to plate Pula.

The Yellowjackets added to their advantage as Allie Hughes grounded out to drive in Leslie Jones. Montana State Billings pushed the lead to 8-3 when Morgan reached on an error to drive in Jenkins.

Minnesota Crookston looked to get their seventh inning rally going as Jordan Peterson (R-So., UT, Lakeville, Minn.) walked and Mika Rodriguez (Sr., SS/2B, Laveen, Ariz.) doubled to give the Golden Eagles two base-runners in scoring position. Querry came through another crucial hit as she doubled to clear the bases and trimmed the deficit to 8-5. The Yellowjackets got three-straight outs to pick up the 8-5 win.

Game Two
Minnesota Crookston got on the scoreboard first against Northern State University, but the Wolves were able to score four runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings to earn the 4-2 win on Sunday.

Meghan Anderson had a complete game in the circle for the Wolves, going seven innings and allowing just two runs on six hits with six strikeouts and three walks.

Paige Pitlick (Sr., RHP, Jordan, Minn.) had a quality start, going three innings, allowing three runs on two hits with three strikeouts and one walk. Avalos came out of the bullpen and had another strong appearance, allowing just one run on three hits over three innings of work.

Minnesota Crookston had six hits on the game. Querry paced the Golden Eagles, going 1-of-3 with one RBI. Hannah Macias finished 1-of-3 with one RBI. Leah Macias was 1-of-3 with one run scored. Pula finished 1-of-4 with one run scored.

The Wolves were guided by Chanel Siebenthal, who went 2-of-3 with one run scored. Kennady Thompson finished 1-of-2 with two RBIs and one run scored. Rachel Reinke finished 1-of-3 with one RBI and one run scored.

Querry built off her strong game early on Sunday, as she doubled to plate Pula to put Minnesota Crookston ahead 1-0.

The Wolves got a run back as Siebenthal scored on a Reinke groundout, knotting the game up 1-1.

Northern State took the lead 3-1 as Thompson powered one over the fence to plate herself and Emily Terveer.

The Wolves added a run as Reinke came in to score on a Sara Bendt ground out.

Minnesota Crookston got a run back as Hannah Macias singled in her sister Leah Macias to cut the deficit to 4-2 in the sixth inning. Minnesota Crookston looked to extend their rally with a Tavia Lawson (Sr., UT, Hawley, Minn.) single. However, they would leave two runners on the base paths as Northern State continued to lead 4-2.

The Golden Eagles had one final chance, as Rodriguez walked with one out. However, Northern State got the final two outs to secure the 4-2 victory.

Minnesota Crookston returns to action with four games at Washburn University. They will take on Pittsburg State University and Washburn on Sat., Feb. 29 in Topeka, Kan.