Box Score CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston softball program is set to get under way with the 2020 season this weekend with three games at the Minot State Invite at the Air-Supported Dome in Minot, N.D.
The Golden Eagles are seeking to build on their program wins mark of 13 set during Travis Owen's first season leading Minnesota Crookston softball in 2019. Minnesota Crookston has a strong core returning, as they look to build upon a strong start to Owen's time as head coach.
Minnesota Crookston will lift the lid on the season Sat., Feb. 8 at 3 p.m., against Bemidji State University. The Golden Eagles will continue play in the tournament, as they take on Black Hills State University Sun., Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. They will round out the tournament on Sun., Feb. 9 at 3 p.m., versus Minot State University.
Sat., Feb. 8
vs. Bemidji State, 3 p.m., Minot, N.D.
Live Stats - https://msubeavers.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary
Sun., Feb. 9
vs. Black Hills State, 1 p.m., Minot, N.D.
Live Stats - https://msubeavers.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary
vs. Minot State, 3 p.m., Minot, N.D.
Live Stats - https://msubeavers.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary
Minnesota Crookston Around The Horn
The Golden Eagles have a blend of returnees and newcomers that are set to lift the lid on the 2020 campaign. Minnesota Crookston has 10 returning players and seven newcomers.
Catchers
Minnesota Crookston has four players who are competing at the catcher slot. The returnees behind the dish are Tavia Lawson (Sr., OF/C, Hawley, Minn.) and Allison Martinson (So., UT, Grafton, N.D.). Lawson appeared in 35 games with seven starts with eight runs scored for Minnesota Crookston. Martinson played in 30 games with 20 starts with one run scored in her first season in the Maroon and Gold. Cassie Querry (Jr., C, Cassville, Pa.) transfers to the Golden Eagles from Lock Haven University. She played in 20 games with one start at Lock Haven last season with three runs scored, one home run and one RBI. Brianna Nancarrow (Fr., C, Victorville, Calif.) also adds to the ranks at catcher after hitting .591 during her career at Excelsior Charter School with 143 hits, 128 RBIs, and 14 career home runs.
Infield
The Golden Eagles have a lot of versatility in the infield with six returnees and four newcomers competing for time. Malia Pula (Sr., UT) hit .287 last season in 54 games and 53 starts with 23 runs scored, 10 doubles, one triple, four home runs and 27 RBIs. In addition, Mika Rodriguez (Sr., SS/2B, Laveen, Ariz.) is back for Minnesota Crookston after batting .269 with a team-high 33 runs scored, 10 doubles, and nine home runs. Samantha Proctor (Sr., UT, Champlin, Minn.) also returns for the Golden Eagles after batting .221 last season in 42 starts. Proctor scored eight runs with six doubles and 10 RBIs. Jordan Peterson (Jr., UT, Lakeville, Minn.) will also compete for time for Minnesota Crookston after batting .316 in 19 starts with nine runs scored, four doubles, and eight RBIs. Darian Pancirov (So., IF, RHP, Las Vegas, Nev.) is back after starting 19 games last season. She scored seven runs, hit two home runs, and notched two RBIs. Martinson will also compete for time in the infield for Minnesota Crookston.
The Golden Eagles also have several newcomers who will look to make an impact. Dana Zarn (Fr., IF, Winnipeg, Manitoba) hit .389 as a prep for the Minnesota Thunder with 61 hits, 45 runs scored and a .548 slugging percentage. Alina Avalos (Fr., RHP/1B, Riverside, Calif.) comes to Minnesota Crookston after earning her team's Outstanding Defensive Player in high school. Alyssa Stillman (Fr., SS/2B, Hortonville, Wis.) is in her first season in the Maroon and Gold. She had a strong career competing for Hortonville High School, the Midwest Glory, and Wisconsin Bandits. Kamryn Frisk (Jr.. RHP/1B, Anchorage, Alaska) also joins the Golden Eagles after hitting .327 with seven RBIs at Northwest Kansas Technical College.
Outfield
Minnesota Crookston will have five players competing to log time in the outfield. Minnesota Crookston is experienced in the outfield with four returnees back for the Golden Eagles. Hannah Macias (So., OF) is back for Minnesota Crookston after batting .245 as a freshman with 23 runs scored, five doubles, two triples, one home run and 19 RBIs. Her twin sister Leah Macias (So., OF) hit .237 as a freshman with 16 runs scored, 10 doubles, one home run and 10 RBIs. Lawson and Peterson will also compete for a spot in the outfield.
The Golden Eagles have one newcomer in the outfield with Gabriella Blomdahl (Fr., OF, Duluth, Minn.). She was a Second Team All-Lake Superior Conference performer at Hermantown H.S.
Pitchers
Minnesota Crookston has four pitchers in their ranks for 2020. Paige Pitlick (Sr., RHP, Jordan, Minn.) leads the way after going 6-21 with a 4.0 ERA in 26 starts as a junior. Pitlick pitched 132.2 innings with 100 strikeouts and just 50 walks. Darian Pancirov (So., IF/RHP, Las Vegas, Nev.) also returns after pitching in 11 games with four strikeouts as a freshman.
The Golden Eagles add two newcomers to the fray in Avalos and Frisk. Avalos earned the California State Tournament Champion Outstanding Pitcher Award at Martin Luther King, Jr. H.S. Frisk appeared in 58.1 innings as a sophomore for Northwest Tech with 29 strikeouts and 17 walks. She had one complete game during her sophomore season.
Bemidji State Preview
The Beavers are in their first full season under Head Coach Brittany Gomez. Bemidji State posted a 24-30 (7-23 NSIC) mark during the 2019 slate, as they finished tied for 13th in the NSIC standings. The Beavers are led by Elaina Christiansen, who hit .313 last season with 39 runs scored, six doubles, two triples, five home runs and 27 RBIs. Lexi Derrick is also back after hitting .269 as a junior with 24 runs scored, nine doubles, two home runs and 18 RBIs.
In the circle, Stephi Dullum leads the Beavers after going 11-15 with a 2.97 ERA in 146.1 innings pitched with 81 strikeouts and just 32 walks. Kaidron McClafferty also returns for Bemidji State after going 4-4 with a 4.57 ERA in 76.2 innings pitched in 2019.
Black Hills State Preview
Black Hills State has opened the 2020 campaign with a 0-4 mark after losing a four-game series with Northern State University Feb. 1 and 2. The top returnee for the Yellow Jackets is Kindall Bethke, who hit .397 with 22 runs scored, seven doubles, three triples, two home runs and 12 RBIs. Samantha Schoen also is back after hitting 2.86 with 15 runs scored and three RBIs.
In the circle, Crystal Amaral leads the way after posting a 9-9 mark in 2019 with 113 strikeouts and just 69 walks. Darian Gottfried also returns after going 1-2 with a 6.86 ERA in 33.2 innings pitched. Black Hills State posted a 13-28 mark in 2019.
Minot State Preview
Minot State comes into the weekend with a 2-3 mark after playing five games in Las Vegas, Nev. Jan. 31 - Feb.2. The Beavers have been led through five games by Lauryn DeGuzman, who his hitting .500 with five runs scored, one double, two home runs and three RBIs. In addition, Haley Hernandez comes in batting .455 with three runs scored, three home runs, and four RBIs.
In the circle, the Beavers have utilized Karlee Coughlin and Zoya Robbins. Coughlin enters the weekend with a 1-1 mark and a 6.60 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched with four strikeouts and four walks. Robbins is 1-2 with a 7.67 ERA in 17.1 innings pitched with four strikeouts and 10 walks.
