Topeka, Kan. – After earning a hard-earned split this past weekend in the Minot Dome, a 1-0 loss to Northern State and a 3-2 win over Bemidji State, Minnesota Crookston softball will play their first games outside this weekend as they travel to Topeka, Kan., on Saturday and Sunday. Minnesota Crookston's last games last season were also at the Washburn Invitational, where the Golden Eagles lost all four games. The Golden Eagles will play Central Missouri and Rockhurst University on Saturday and McKendree University and Emporia State to round out the Invitational on Sunday.

Offensively, the Golden Eagles have been outscored by 11 runs this season, scoring 26 runs in eight games this season. The Golden Eagles have been led by Dana Zarn (So., IF, Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Jordan Peterson (R-Jr., UT, Lakeville, Minn.), who are each hitting over .300 on the season. Rachel Jones (Fr., UT, Fort Collins, Colo.) is currently third on the team in hitting after collecting four hits in six at-bats in the Minot Dome last weekend. Jones also hit her first career home run in the win over the Beavers. Jones and fellow freshman Hailey Hatfield (Fr., UT, Olathe, Kan.) are the only Golden Eagles with homeruns on the season.

In the circle, the Golden Eagles might be onto something with the pairing of Katie Humhej (Sr., P, Surrey, British Columbia) and Sofia Gombos (Fr., P, Salinas, Calif.). The duo has combined for four complete games on the season and each have ERA's under three. Humhej is holding hitters to just a .189 average and is fourth in the NSIC with 24 strikeouts on the season. On Saturday, Gombos won her first career game over the Beavers, while striking out eight hitters and giving up just five hits.
 
How to Follow
Central Missouri vs Minnesota Crookston
Sat., Feb. 27
Topeka, Kan.
9 A.M.


Rockhurst University vs Minnesota Crookston
Sat., Feb. 27
1 P.M.

 
McKendree University vs Minnesota Crookston
Sun., Feb. 28
10 A.M.
Live Stats - https://esuhornets.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary
 
Emporia State vs Minnesota Crookston
Sun., Feb. 28
2 P.M.
Live Stats - https://esuhornets.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary

Fan Policy
Fans will be allowed this weekend in Topeka, Kan. Masks and Social Distance is required at each facility. Concessions will also be available at the Invitational.
 
Opponent Outlook
Central Missouri
This will be the first games of the 2021 season for the Jennies. UCM returns some threats offensively, including Ashlyn Cook and Sydney Wellshear, who were first and second on their team in hitting a season ago. Wellshear returns to her hometown of Topeka this weekend. Juniors Makenzie McAtee and Makenzie Cooper each hit over .300 a season ago and should make an impact with the bat this season. North Carolina State transfer Bailee Bryant could also make an impact this season.
 
In the circle, Paige Petefish was the ace last season. The now sophomore finished the abbreviated season with a 6-2 record in nine starts, seven complete games and a 2.19 ERA. Petefish struck out 45 hitters compared to just nine walks a season ago.

Rockhurst University
The Hawks have had some bad luck this season. This will also be the first games of the season for Rockhurst, but they had 10 games already cancelled due to COVID. Emily Clark and Calli Wibbenmeyer return to lead the offense after combining for 46 hits in 20 games. Allison Shakiba and Maya Gallagher are also back after each hitting over .300 a season ago. Gallagher led the team in doubles with six.
 
Lexie Storrer is back for another year as a grad transfer for the Hawks. Storrer appeared in 13 games, starting 10 and finishing with a 7-4 record, with a 1.94 ERA. The Olathe, Kan., native struck out 56 hitters in just 61.1 innings pitched. Olivia Prather is also back as a grad transfer for the Hawks and could make a dangerous 1-2 punch for Rockhurst.

McKendree University
This will also be the first games of the season for the Bearcats, who were picked to finish 13^th in their preseason conference poll. The Bearcats were 8-6 on the season a year ago and were winners of seven in a row before their season was halted. Paige Hayden returns offensively, after hitting .438 with one homerun and ten RBI's last season. The Bearcats will be helped by the return of Caitlyn Lowry, who is a graduate student. Lowry was second on the team in hitting a year ago.
 
Miranda Gajewski and Makenzie Carter are back in the circle after combining for 13 starts a season ago. Carter had seven starts and five complete games a season ago, while striking out 29 hitters in over 40 innings pitched.

Emporia State
The Hornets will wrap-up their Washburn Invitational with a game against the Golden Eagles on Sunday. The Hornets played a whopping 25 games a season ago before the shutdown, scoring 131 runs in those 25 games. The Hornets will need to replace the bat of senior Hannah Steeby, who hit .405 with a 1.297 OPS, eight home runs and 27 RBI's. The Hornets have a big hole to fill with the loss of Steeby.
 
Grad transfer Kelsey Phillips and Sydney Righi will most likely lead the way in the circle for ESU. Righi finished last season with six complete games and a 5-4 record. The Hornets pitching staff doesn't strike out too many hitters, but they enforce a ton of weak contact.