Sioux Falls, S.D. -- Minnesota Crookston softball will head south on I-29 to face the Cougars whom they beat the last time they played, almost one year to the date. The doubleheader will be played at the Sanford Diamonds in Sioux Falls S.D.
The maroon and gold will look to bounce back from a sweep against the Saint Cloud State Huskies, whom they faced this past Wednesday.
How to Follow
Minnesota Crookston @ USF Cougars
Friday, March 28
th
Sioux Falls, S.D.
2 / 4 P.M.
Live Stats --
https://usfcougars.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary
Watch Live --
https://www.nsicnetwork.com/usfcougars/
Minnesota Crookston (13-20, 1-5 NSIC)
With the Golden Eagles heading into their fourth conference series, they continue to rely on new and returning talent to guide them to success. In terms of average percentages, a pair of freshmen leading the way with
Hannah Trzinski (Fr., P/1B, Stevens Point, Wis.) and
Chayse Doering (Fr., OF, Shakopee, Minn.) hitting over .310. Following the freshman duo are a triplet of hitters averaging over .275 with
Rayna French (So., C/OF, La Salle, Manitoba),
Madisen Yandle (Fr., SS, Lakeville, Minn.), and
Whitnee Curry (Sr., 2B/SS, Lincoln, Neb.). Seniors
Haley Koch (Mondamin, Iowa) and
Whitnee Curry (Sr., 2B/SS, Lincoln, Neb.), had solid performances in the team's last outing against the Huskies with Koch getting one hit and two RBI's on two at bats and Curry getting two hits and one RBI in two at bats as well.
In the circle, the Golden Eagle have relied heavily on their young guns this season with freshman duo of
Delaney Penner (Fr., Winkler, Manitoba) and
Sydney McMurdie (Fr. Twin Falls, Idaho) starting a combined number of games of 14. Penner leads the maroon and gold with 4 wins on the season. In the mix, is
Charlotte Dombrowski (Jr., P/OF, Valparaiso, Ind.) who has pitched the second most number of innings with 34.2 and carries an ERA of 3.84. Speaking of ERA,
Alexa Guilford (Jr., P, Crystal City, Manitoba), leads the Golden Eagle with an ERA of 2.16 with 3 saves on the season which ranks her 20
th in the country.
The Golden Eagles look to bounce back and break the four-game losing streak as they have faced the Cougars 22 times where they have lost 18 and won 4.
Sioux Falls (13-15, 1-5 NSIC)
A similar team, when comparing them to the Golden Eagles, the Cougars come into this series with the same conference record as the maroon and gold. USF was swept by Minnesota State Mankato this past Wednesday.
The Cougars have the third best batting average in the conference with an average of .306 with Morgan Linstad (So. Brookings, S.D.) leading the way with a percentage of .418, certainly one to keep an eye on for the series. Emerging standout, Savanna Isaacson (Fr. Mesa, Ariz.), leads the Sioux Falls squad with RBI's for the season with 23 with 87 AB. The Cougars were shutout in their past outing against the Mavericks.
The Golden Eagle seem to have the upper hand when it comes to pitching as the Cougars lack depth in the bullpen. Leading the charge for USF is Maddi Duncan (Jr., Lincoln, Neb.) who started half of the games for the purple and white this season (14). Her ERA of 3.01 is also the best among USF pitchers.
All in all, this evenly matched up contest could promise a good opportunity for both teams to grab a win or two and start the climb in the NSIC standings.
