Topeka, Kan. – Northwest Missouri State used an early four run inning on Tuesday morning to defeat Minnesota Crookston in softball action, 5-0.
Minnesota Crookston falls to 5-10 on the season and will have a week off before they head to Florida for 12 games.
The Bearcats would strike first in the bottom of the first with four runs, highlighted by a three-run home run off the bat of Skylar Pieper. NMSU would lead 4-0 after one.
The theme of the day would be missed opportunities and runners left on base for the Golden Eagles.
Minnesota Crookston would leave at least one runner on base in innings two, three, four and five.
The Bearcats would score another run in the bottom of the fifth, for a 5-0 lead.
Rayna French (So., C, La Salle, Manitoba) would single into left with one out and then
Riley Blake (Fr., P/OF, Las Vegas, Nev.) would single to center field, putting runners on first and second.
Haley Koch (Sr., C, Mondamin, Iowa) would hit the ball hard, but would line out to left, stranding a pair of runners on base.
The Golden Eagles would pitch a scoreless bottom of the sixth and then would have a two out rally in the top of the seventh, as
Emerson Thompson (R-Jr., C, Lincoln, Neb.) would draw a two out walk and
Jocelyn Hernandez (Fr., OF, Tracy, Calif.) would single, but the Golden Eagles couldn't scrape a run across, as the Bearcats would slam the door on the win.
French capped off her outstanding weekend with two more hits, leading the Golden Eagles. French finished her weekend in Kansas with six hits in five games. The Golden Eagles did have eight hits in the game and left seven runners on base.
Hannah Trzinski (Fr., P/1B, Stevens Point, Wis.) would earn the start and would give up three earned runs on two hits, while getting an out in the first inning.
Alexa Guilford (Jr., P, Crystal City, Manitoba) was solid in relief, giving up one earned run on seven hits, while striking out two.
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston is back in action starting on March 10, as they have a doubleheader in Florida, starting with Gannon University for a 3:45 P.M. first pitch.
