Crookston, Minn. – Minnesota Crookston softball hosted their home opener and conference opener on Sunday afternoon, as the Northern State Wolves came to town for an NSIC doubleheader.
The Wolves and Golden Eagles played a pair of close contests on a cold afternoon. The Wolves won game one, 11-10 and the Golden Eagles got out of a bases-loaded jam in game two, for the 5-3 win and the split.
With the split, Minnesota Crookston moves to 10-17 (1-1 NSIC), while the Wolves fall to 9-17 (1-3 NSIC).
Game One
The Wolves would jump out to a 3-0 lead after a three-run home run from Liv Richardson.
It wouldn't take long for the Golden Eagles to answer.
Sydney Huwe (Fr., UT, Chaska, Minn.) reached on a single, then scored on a two-run home run from
Alina Avalos (Jr., IF, Riverside, Calif.).
The Golden Eagles would trail by a run until the fourth inning.
Hannah Macias (Sr., OF, West Covina, Calif.) would reach on an error that would score
Jenna Parfeniuk (R-So., UT, Winnipeg, Manitoba) to tie things up at three. Making her return to the lineup,
Whitnee Curry (Fr., IF, Lincoln, Neb.) would single in a pair to give the Golden Eagles a 5-3 lead. Huwe would double in Curry and she would trade spots with Avalos to cap-off the five run inning for the Golden Eagles.
The Wolves would answer with five runs of their own to take an 8-7 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.
Gabriella Blomdahl (Jr., OF, Duluth, Minn.) would score
Alyssa Stillman (Jr., SS/2B, Hortonville, Wis.), who was pinch-running for
Jordan Peterson (R-Sr., UT, Lakeville, Minn.), to tie the game up at eight.
NSU would score one in the sixth and a pair in the top of the seventh to take an 11-8 lead.
Minnesota Crookston would try to answer. Avalos was about very close to tying the game on her second home run of the game in the bottom of the seventh, but she would have to settle for a two RBI double off the fence.
The Golden Eagles wouldn't be able to score Avalos from second and fell 11-10 in game one.
The Golden Eagles collected 13 hits in the opening game, highlighted by a pair of three-hit performances from Huwe and Avalos. Avalos had five RBI in the game, which was a career and season high. Curry and Peterson each collected two hits as well.
Evie Stuck (Fr., P/OF, Papillion, Neb.) picked up the loss in game one, going 5.0 innings, while giving up nine hits on eight runs, six of which were earned. Stuck falls to 5-7 on the season.
Game Two
It wouldn't take long for the Golden Eagles to get on the board in the final game of the doubleheader.
Emerson Thompson (Fr., 1B/C, Lincoln, Neb.) would score on a wild pitch, giving the Golden Eagles a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second.
Curry would continue her strong day with a single to centerfield, scoring a pair, giving the Golden Eagles a 3-0 lead.
Minnesota Crookston would add another in the bottom of the third, making it 4-0.
NSU would get a run on an Alexandria Arndt home run to center field, cutting the lead to 4-1 in the fourth inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, the maroon and gold would get a run back, using an error by the Wolves to extend their lead to 5-1.
NSU would score a pair in the fifth and then strand the bases loaded in the top of the seventh for the Golden Eagles 5-3 win to earn the split.
Minnesota Crookston collected seven hits in game two, highlighted by a pair off the bat of Parfeniuk. Curry collected a pair of RBI's.
Thayda Houser (So., P, Seymour, Iowa) collected her fourth win of the season after going the distance for the Golden Eagles. The sophomore allowed three runs on eight hits, while striking out six.
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston will continue NSIC play tomorrow afternoon as they will welcome in the Dragons of MSUM for a doubleheader. First pitch with the Dragons is set for 12 PM.
