CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team played two extra-inning games Thursday, April 25 but ultimately fell 6-2 and 2-1 to Minnesota State University Moorhead at the Minnesota Crookston Softball Field. 

The Golden Eagles drop to 14-37 (7-19 NSIC) with Wednesday's losses. Minnesota Crookston already has their most conference wins in program history. The Golden Eagles fell out of contention for the final spot in the NSIC Tournament with Thursday's sweep. 

Game One - The Dragons forced extra innings in the first game by scoring two runs in the top of the seventh. MSU Moorhead picked up the win by scoring four runs in the top of the ninth to earn the 6-2 win.

Thayda Houser (Sr., P, Seymour, Iowa) had a strong outing in the circle, pitching 8.2 innings and allowing six runs on seven hits. Houser struck out five, and walked five. Alexa Guilford (So., P, Crystal City, Manitoba) went 0.1 innings, allowing no runs on one hit.

The win went to Azalya Lopez, who tossed a complete game allowing one run on four hits. She struck out eight, and walked four.

The Golden Eagles picked up four hits in the first tilt. Whitnee Curry (Jr., IF, Lincoln, Neb.) was 2-of-4, with an RBI. Paige Shwaluk (Sr., 2B, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba) was 1-of-4, as was Sophie Juntunen (So., IF, St. Michael, Minn.). 

Minnesota Crookston was led by the defense of Ruth Freiberg (So., OF, Hopkins, Minn.), who made many defensive gems on Thursday, including a diving play on a ball hit into foul territory in right field. Maddie Shwaluk also made a diving play in left field.

The Golden Eagles broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third when Curry singled to plate Maddie Shwaluk.

Freiberg's best catch of the day came in the top of the fourth off Lopez' foul out to right field.

The Golden Eagles pushed the lead to 2-0 in the fifth when Paige Shwaluk singled to left field, and pinch-runner Irelyn Spencer (R-Fr., IF, Rapid City, S.D.) scored on an error by the left fielder.

The Dragons broke through in the top of the seventh with two outs. Annika Norman singled, followed by a Sam Centeno walk. Evey Evans then delivered a double to center field to score Norman and pinch-runner Hannah Losee.

The Golden Eagles had two runners reach in the bottom of the eighth, but were unable to score. It left the gate open for the Dragons, who came through with four in the top of the ninth. An Eliyah McCarthy single brought in Norman and Eliya Johnson to widen the gap to 4-2. Lizzie Davis continued the scoring, as she singled in Evans to make it 5-2. The final run of the rally came when McCarthy scored on a wild pitch.

Lopez retired Minnesota Crookston in order in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the 6-2 win.

Game Two - The Golden Eagles went to extra innings in the second consecutive game, totaling 17 innings Thursday, but fell 2-1 in the eighth frame.

Evie Stuck (Jr., P, Papillon, Neb.) started and pitched a complete game gem, tossing eight innings and allowing two runs on six hits. Stuck struck out three, and walked four in the loss.

Evans started in the circle and went three innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits. Teagan Clemmons got the win in relief, allowing no runs on eight hits. She struck out five, and walked two.

The Golden Eagles notched 10 hits. Paige Shwaluk was 2-of-2, with one RBI. Reagan Emerick (Sr., IF, Macomb, Ill.) went 2-of-4, as did Juntunen. Stuck was 2-of-3.

The Dragons took a 1-0 lead in the third when Lopez singled in Centeno. Stuck got out of the inning as MSU Moorhead stranded two runners.

The Golden Eagles tied the game 1-1 when Paige Shwaluk tripled to score her twin sister Maddie Shwaluk. However, Minnesota Crookston stranded two runners to keep the tally at 1-1.

Minnesota Crookston put two on in the bottom of the fifth with a single from Stuck, and a walk earned by Paige Shwaluk. However, the Dragons navigated the danger and got out of the stanza.

The Golden Eagles had an opportunity in the sixth with a Juntunen single, but Emerick was thrown out leading off third. 

Minnesota Crookston had an opportunity in the bottom of the seventh but the Dragons got a key double play to get out of the stanza.

The Dragons took a 2-1 lead in the top of the eighth with a Lopez single to plate Davis. MSU Moorhead threatened with a Mack Gallagher single, but Lopez was thrown out at home to keep the score 2-1.

Minnesota Crookston looked to mount a bottom of the eighth rally. The Golden Eagles put runners on second and third after singles from Emerick and Haley Koch (R-Jr., C, Mondamin, Iowa) with Koch moving to second on a stolen base. However, Clemmons struck out the final two batters to preserve the 2-1 win.

The Golden Eagles will wrap up the 2024 season Sunday, April 28 at 12 and 2 p.m., against Northern State University.