Wayne, Neb. – After losing a pair to nationally-ranked Augustana, Golden Eagles softball travelled to Wayne State College for a Monday NSIC doubleheader.
The Wildcats would use big innings late in the game to sweep the Golden Eagles, 7-4 and 9-5.
The Golden Eagles fall to 14-33 (5-17 NSIC) on the season.
Game One
After both teams wouldn't score a run in the first inning, the Wildcats would score three runs in the top of the second inning, including a two-RBI single, coming with two outs.
The Golden Eagles would be held hitless through the first three innings, but the bats would come alive in the bottom of the fourth.
Jordan Peterson (R-Sr., UT, Lakeville, Minn.) would hit a double to the left center field gap, putting runners on second and third with no one out. Both Peterson and
Shaelyn Grant (So., C/OF, Grand Junction, Colo.) would come home to score on an
Alina Avalos (Jr., IF, Riverside, Calif.) double.
Later on in the inning,
Dana Zarn (Jr., UT, Winnipeg, Manitoba) would join in on the double party, driving in Avalos to knot things up at three.
Hannah Macias (Sr., OF, West Covina, Calif.) singled in Zarn, giving the Golden Eagles a 4-3 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, Grant would hit the fourth double of the game for the Golden Eagles, but would be left stranded at second base.
With the Golden Eagles leading heading into the seventh inning, the Wildcats would erupt for four runs, taking a 7-4 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Golden Eagles would go down in order in the bottom of the seventh, falling to the Wildcats, 7-4.
Minnesota Crookston had five hits in the game. Grant, Peterson, Avalos, Zarn and Macias each collected a hit. Avalos added on to her team lead in RBI, collecting two. The junior now has 31 RBI on the season.
Thayda Houser (So., P, Seymour, Iowa) went the distance, giving up seven runs, all of which were earned on 13 hits and striking out two Wildcat hitters. The sophomore falls to 6-10 on the season.
Game Two
The Golden Eagles wouldn't take long to get on the board in the bottom of the opening inning. The Golden Eagles would score two runs on a pair of groundouts from Macias and Grant. Zarn would single in Avalos, helping the Golden Eagles get a 3-0 lead heading into the top of the second.
The Wildcats would score one run in both the third and fourth innings, cutting into the Golden Eagles lead at 3-2.
In the sixth inning, the Wildcats would explode for seven runs. The big hit came off the bat of Jenna Etmans, who hit a grand slam over the left field fence, giving the Wildcats a 9-4 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Golden Eagles would try to complete the comeback. Avalos would hit her fifth home run of the season and Peterson would later single in a run. It wouldn't be enough as the Golden Eagles would fall, 9-5.
The Golden Eagles had nine hits, led by the trio of Avalos, Zarn and Peterson, who each collected two hits. The Golden Eagles left eight runners on base in game two.
Evie Stuck (Fr., P/OF, Papillion, Neb.) fell to 7-15 on the season, after giving up seven runs on 10 hits in 5.2 innings pitched.
What's Next
The Golden Eagles will return home for the first time in a long time on Wednesday afternoon as Minnesota Duluth comes to town for an NSIC doubleheader. First pitch with the Bulldogs is set for 2 PM in Crookston.
