Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
Bemidji, Minn., -- It was the conference opener for the University of Minnesota Crookston softball team, who traveled down Highway-2 for a twin-bill with the Beavers of Bemidji State.
 
The Golden Eagles would be doubled-up in game one, falling to the Beavers, 8-4. Minnesota Crookston would bounce back nicely in game two, winning 4-3 in extra innings.
 
The split for the Golden Eagles runs their record to 5-11 (1-1 NSIC).
 
Game One
The Golden Eagles would jump out to a quick lead, following an Alyssa Stillman (So., SS/2B, Hortonville, Wis.) homerun over the left field wall.
 
Sarah Velasquez (Fr., OF, Chino, Calif.) would double to right center, scoring Hannah Macias (Jr., OF, West Covina, Calif.) to make it 2-0.
 
The Beavers would use a big fifth inning, to take a 5-2 lead.
 
Minnesota Crookston would try to claw their way back into the ballgame. In the top of the sixth, the Golden Eagles would score two runs, following a Velasquez single and a Beaver error allowing Shaelyn Grant (Fr., C/OF, Grand Junction, Colo.). The Golden Eagles would trail 5-4 heading into the bottom of the frame.
 
BSU would add some insurance in the bottom of the sixth and would hold the Golden Eagles in the top of the seventh inning, to win the first game, 8-4.
 
Velasquez led the way for the Golden Eagles with a career-high two hit game and two RBI's. Alina Avalos (So., RHP/1B, Riverside, Calif.), Stillman, Macias and Grant each collected a hit in the game for the Golden Eagles.
 
In the circle, Katie Humhej (Sr., RHP, Surrey, British Columbia) got the nod in game one. Humhej went 6.0 innings, giving up eight runs on 10 hits, while also striking out 10. Humhej picked up the loss and fell to 2-6 on the season.
 
Game Two
The Golden Eagles used some small-ball to strike first in the top of the first. Rachel Jones (Fr., UT, Fort Collins, Colo.) would steal second, which subsequently allowed Dana Zarn (So., IF, Winnipeg, Manitoba) to score from third.
 
The Beavers would score two runs in the bottom of the first to take a 2-1 lead.
 
Minnesota Crookston would then knot the game up at two following a Beaver error, allowing Grant to score.
 
In the top of the fifth, the Golden Eagles would take a 3-2 lead following a Zarn single that sneaked through the infield.
 
BSU would use a two-out rally in the bottom of the sixth to tie things up once again.
 
Following a scoreless seventh inning by both teams, Minnesota Crookston would score a run in the eighth inning on a Beaver error.
 
With a one-run lead, Humhej would come in to try to close things out for the Golden Eagles. She would do just that, setting the Beavers down in order, to earn both the save and the win.
 
The Golden Eagles had seven hits in game two, led by Zarn's two-hit performance. Zarn and Macias each had an RBI on the day.
 
In the circle, Sofia Gombos (Fr., P, Salinas, Calif.) continued her strong season. The Golden State native went 6.0 innings, while giving up three runs on five hits, while striking out seven.
 
What's Next
The Golden Eagles will finally be at home this weekend as they host the University of Sioux Falls on Friday and Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday. Both are doubleheaders and will start at noon each day.