Golden Eagles Head to Minot for Two Nonconference Games with Familiar Foes
 
Minot, N.D.—After earning a victory over Viterbo College (Wis.), with the help of the first perfect game in program history thrown by Katie Humhej (Sr., P, Surrey, British Columbia), the Golden Eagles will look to build on that momentum with two games on Saturday against Northern State and Bemidji State. It will be the second time in eight games that the Golden Eagles and Beavers will meet.
 
Offensively, the Golden Eagles are off to a slower start than this time last year. Sophomore Dana Zarn (So., IF, Winnipeg, Man.) has made a heck of a step in year two. Zarn is hitting .412 on the season (17^th in the NSIC), while being second on the team with three RBI's. Jordan Peterson (R-Jr., UT, Lakeville, Minn.) and Hailey Hatfield (Fr., UT, Olathe, Kan.) started all four games last weekend in St. Cloud, collecting four and three hits, respectively.
 
In the circle, the Golden Eagles are coming off of a historic outing in the finale on Saturday. Humhej struck out eight V-Hawks, while giving up zero hits, zero runs and zero walks, collecting the first perfect game in school history. Humhej currently has a 1-2 record at a 3.34 ERA clip. Sofia Gombos (Fr., P, Salinas, Calif.) has had a great start in her first season as a Golden Eagle. The native of the Golden State has a 3.50 ERA through four appearances this season.
 
How to Follow
Northern State vs Minnesota Crookston
Fri., Feb. 20
Minot Dome / Minot, N.D.
7 A.M.
Live Stats - https://msubeavers.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary
Watch Live - https://nsicnetwork.com/msubeavers/ 

Bemidji State vs Minnesota Crookston
Sat., Feb. 20
4 P.M.
Live Stats - https://msubeavers.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary
Watch Live - https://nsicnetwork.com/msubeavers/ 
 
Opponent Outlook
Northern State
This will be the first games of the 2021 season after almost a year absence. The Wolves got off to an unbelievable start last season, going 15-4, including a 4-2 win over Minnesota Crookston in the same venue these two teams will meet this season, the Minot Dome.
 
Before the shutdown, the Wolves were really good with the bat. NSU scored a whopping 116 runs in just 19 games. The Wolves will return two of their three best hitters this season in Jen Martin and Rachel Reinke. Both Martin and Reinke hit over .350 a season ago and each sent two balls over the fence. Expect the duo to once again lead the way at the plate for NSU.
 
Meghan Anderson will no doubt lead the way in the circle for the Wolves. The Verona, Wis., native appeared in 13 games on the season, starting 10. In 67 innings for NSU, the sophomore had a 1.15 ERA, while striking out 68 hitters and giving up just 24 walks. Anderson had three complete games on the season. Makenzie Merritt could be a factor as well for the Wolves this season.
 
Bemidji State
The Beavers are currently 1-1 on the season, with the lone win coming over the Golden Eagles, 8-1.
 
The Beavers have three hitters currently hitting over .300, led by Emmarie Yeager, who has four hits in seven at-bats, while hitting a homerun and driving in three. It's a small sample size, but the Beavers scored eight runs in the opening season win over the Beavers and have scored 13 runs in two games.
 
In the circle, expect Stephi Dullum to get the start in the circle against the Golden Eagles. Last Wednesday, Dullum went 5.0 innings, while giving up one run and struck out ten against the Golden Eagles.