St. Paul, Minn.—It's been almost a year since we can say this: Minnesota Crookston softball will play a real game this Wednesday. Minnesota Crookston will enter the third season of the Travis Owen this week with two games in St. Paul against NSIC foe Bemidji State and the University of Jamestown. Both games will be non-conference.

The Golden Eagles were off to a record start last season before the pandemic shut the season down in March of 2020. The Golden Eagles return a number of key pieces offensively, including Cassie Querry (Sr., C, Cassville, Pa.), Jordan Peterson (Sr., UT, Lakeville, Minn.) and Gabriella Blomdahl (So., OF, Duluth, Minn.). In 16 games, Minnesota Crookston scored a whopping 75 runs, including four games scoring nine or more runs. The Golden Eagles should be a force with the bats.

In the circle, Minnesota Crookston will turn to Katie Humehj (Sr., P, Surrey, British Columbia). The senior right hander comes from Long Island-Post, while leading her team to the NCAA Division II College World Series in 2019 after pitching 214 innings and having an ERA of 2.06. Humehj will undoubtedly be the ace of the Golden Eagles. Sophomore Alina Avilos (So., P, Riverside, Calif.) and freshmen Sofia Gombos (Fr., P, Salina, Calif.) also project to play a role in the circle this season.

How to Follow
Bemidji State vs Minnesota Crookston
West St. Paul Dome
9 A.M.
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Minnesota Crookston vs Jamestown
1 P.M.
No Live Stats
 
Opponent Outlook
Bemidji State
Before the pandemic hit, these two teams met twice, with each team winning one game. The Golden Eagles won the first game while the Beavers were able to knock off the Golden Eagles in extra innings. Head coach Brittany Gomez enters her first full season as the head coach after being named head coach on June 16, 2020.

Offensively, the Beavers lose Olivia Tucker, who hit seven home runs and drove in 24 runs in just 22 games last season. Elaina Christenson is back to lead the Beavers after hitting five home runs, driving in 16. Lisa Kossen and Stephi Dullum are back after each hitting over .300 a season ago.

Dullum is also the ace in the circle for the Beavers. Dullum appeared in 13 games a season ago, starting eight games in the circle for BSU. Dullum finished 4-3 on the season with a 1.99 ERA and 34 strikeouts in more than 47 innings.
Jamestown
Before the season was shut down, the Jimmies were 12-7 on the season, including a win over a ranked Valley City State team in extra innings. It should be a good test for the Golden Eagles this Wednesday.

Offensively, the Jimmies are good. UJ scored 149 runs in the abbreviated season and had 53 extra base hits as a team. The Jimmies had a whopping six hitters hit over .400 last year, including five of which return to the Jimmies lineup this season.
In the circle, Jamestown struggled a bit, combining for a team ERA of over 4.00. Junior Katie Merchant will probably be the go-to in the circle. A season ago, the South Haven, Minn., native appeared in 13 games with eight starts, finishing 5-2 with a 3.37 ERA.