Duluth, Minn. – Minnesota Crookston softball traveled to Duluth this afternoon for a doubleheader with the top team in the NSIC, Minnesota Duluth.
In game one, Minnesota Crookston had a four-run third inning and carried a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth, but the Bulldogs would answer with four in the sixth for the two-run game one win. The Bulldogs would shutout the Golden Eagles in game two, 6-0
Minnesota Crookston falls to 16-29 on the season.
Game One
The Bulldogs would open the scoring in the second inning, loading the bases and then eventually scoring a run on a hit by pitch.
Minnesota Crookston would answer with four runs of their own off of Lauren Dixon, one of the best hitters in the entire nation. The Golden Eagles would load the bases with one out and would take a lead on a two-RBI single by
Whitnee Curry (So., IF/OF, Lincoln, Neb.), scoring
Brittney Mengel (So., OF, Sullivan, Wis.) and
Gabriella Blomdahl (Sr., OF, Duluth, Minn.), who was playing in her hometown.
Alina Avalos (Sr., IF, Riverside, Calif.) would later score
Paige Shwaluk (Jr., MIF, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba) on an RBI groundout.
Shaelyn Grant (Jr., C/OF, Grand Junction, Colo.) would triple to right, scoring Curry for a three-run lead.
Minnesota Duluth would get a run back in the bottom of the inning, but would still trail by a pair heading into the sixth.
UMD would use a pair of doubles and a single to retake the lead at 6-4, putting up a four spot in the inning.
Trailing by two, the Golden Eagles would gain two base runners on two walks by Dixon, but wouldn't be able to scrape across the tying run, falling 6-4.
Grant finished with two of the five Golden Eagle hits, going 2-3 on the day.
Paige Shwaluk, Curry and Blomdahl each collected a hit in game one.
Gracelynn Kelly (Fr., P, Black Hawk, S.D.) was good in the circle. Kelly gave up an earned run, while walking four.
Alexa Guilford (Fr., P, Crystal City, Manitoba) picked up the loss in relief, going two innings and striking out two, giving up a pair of earned runs.
Game Two
In game two, UMD would score the first two runs, with a run in the second and the fourth inning.
Minnesota Crookston would get four hits in the game, but were unable to come up with that big hit.
UMD would add three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for the 6-0 win.
Curry led the way with a pair of hits, while Grant and
Reagan Emerick (R-So., MIF, Macomb, Ill.) each had one hit.
Thayda Houser (Jr., P, Seymour, Iowa) went the distance, giving up six runs, all of which were earned, on nine hits, striking out four.
What's Next
The last road doubleheader is on tap for the Golden Eagles tomorrow afternoon. Minnesota Crookston will head to Bemidji for a twin bill with Bemidji State. First pitch is set for 2 P.M.
