Wayne, Neb. – After playing Augustana tough in game two on Saturday, Minnesota Crookston was looking to salvage the weekend as they headed further south down I-29 for a doubleheader with Wayne State College.
Minnesota Crookston used another gem from
Alexa Guilford (Jr., P, Crystal City, Manitoba) in game one, taking game one by a pair, 4-2.
Minnesota Crookston finished with just one hit in game two, but one run in the seventh was enough for the Golden Eagles to pick up a huge sweep over Wayne State, 1-0.
Minnesota Crookston moves to 17-28 (5-13 NSIC). The Golden Eagles are one win away from tying their school record for wins in a season.
Game One
Guilford would earn another start and would cruise through the first inning, but would give up a two-out double, allowing the Wildcats to take a 1-0 lead.
The third inning would be scoreless.
In the fourth, the Golden Eagles would get some traffic on the bases and would put up a crooked number.
Madisen Yandle (Fr., SS, Lakeville, Minn.) would triple down the right field line, driving in
Haley Koch (Sr., C, Mondamin, Iowa). The ball would get away from the Wildcats infield, allowing Yandle to come across to score, giving the Golden Eagles a 2-1 lead.
The Golden Eagles would deliver some two out magic of their own.
Irelyn Spencer (R-So., IF, Rapid City, S.D.) would drive in a pair with a two RBI single, giving the maroon and gold a three run lead heading into the bottom of the fourth.
Wayne State would score on a groundout in the bottom of the fourth, making it 4-2, but that would be the last scoring for either team, as the Golden Eagles would prevail in game one.
The top four hitters in the Golden Eagle lineup were outstanding on the day, as
Riley Blake (Fr., P/OF, Las Vegas, Nev.),
Whitnee Curry (Sr., IF, Lincoln, Neb.),
Rayna French (So., C/OF, La Salle, Manitoba) and Spencer each collected a hit. Yandle and
Chayse Doering (Fr., OF, Shakopee, Minn.) also each collected a hit.
The Golden Eagles left eight runners on base.
Just four days removed from her first career complete game, Guilford made it two in her career. The southpaw gave up just one earned run on seven hits, while striking out three and earning her fifth win of the year, which is tied for the team lead.
Game Two
Another
Delaney Penner (Fr., P, Winkler, Manitoba), another Penner gem. Penner had to be great.
Neither team would get a ton of offense, as they would combine for just four hits.
The Golden Eagles would finally get some traffic in the top of the seventh, as French would earn a one out walk. Spencer would reach on an error and the Golden Eagles would have two runners on for the first time in the game.
Spencer and French would each advance a base on a wild pitch and
Sydney McMurdie (Fr., P/UT, Twin Falls, Idaho) would deliver the game's first run with an RBI groundout, scoring French.
The Golden Eagles would lead by a run heading into the bottom of the seventh.
The Wildcats would get the leadoff runner on, but Penner would slam the door for the 1-0 win.
The Golden Eagles finished with just one hit, a double off the bat of Curry in the second inning. With that hit, Curry is three away from breaking the school record of 154 hits in a career, set by Gabriel Antolak back in 2018.
Penner earned her sixth win of the season, giving up just three hits, while striking out four. It's the first career shutout for the standout freshman.
The sweep for the Golden Eagles is their first conference sweep of the year and second overall this season. The Golden Eagles had a day sweep earlier this year during their Florida excursion.
What's Next
Finally, the Golden Eagles are set to play at home for their first official games this season, as they host the University of Mary on Friday. First pitch is set for 12 P.M. The Golden Eagles will also celebrate senior day on Friday.
