Crookston, Minn. – Records fell on Friday afternoon for Golden Eagle softball in their sweep (12-4 & 9-3) over the University of Mary. A lot of records, in fact.
Irelyn Spencer (R-So., IF, Rapid City, S.D.) finished with 10 RBI in game one, unofficially tying the conference single game record, as well as the school record. Then,
Whitnee Curry (Sr., IF, Lincoln, Neb.) broke the all-time hits record in program history, finishing with three on the day, giving her 155 and counting in her career. Finally, with their sweep over UMary, the Golden Eagles set the program record for wins with 19 and counting.
The Golden Eagles improve to 19-28 (7-13 NSIC) on the season.
Game One
In game one, the Marauders got off to a fast start, striking for three in the first inning.
Minnesota Crookston would find the scoreboard in the third, starting with a Curry RBI single on a bunt, cutting the UMary lead to two. Spencer would clear the bases with a three RBI double to right center, scoring Curry,
Rayna French (So., C, La Salle, Manitoba) and
Riley Blake (Fr., P/OF, Las Vegas, Nev.).
UMary would answer with a run in the top of the fourth.
In the bottom of the fifth, Spencer would have another big swing, this time a three-run blast to left centerfield, giving the Golden Eagles a 7-4 lead.
With a three-run advantage in the sixth, the Golden Eagles would strike for five runs in the sixth inning, capped off by a grand slam by Spencer, ending the game due to the mercy rule. It was the first grand slam of Spencer's career, which also gave her the record of 10 RBI.
Spencer finished with three hits and 10 RBI on the day, while Blake, Curry and
Madisen Yandle (Fr., SS, Lakeville, Minn.) accounted for the rest of the nine team hits, with two hits each.
Alexa Guilford (Jr., P, Crystal City, Manitoba) went five innings in the circle, giving up four runs, just two of which were earned, while striking out four.
Evie Stuck (Sr., P, Papillion, Neb.) earned the first of her two wins on the day, not allowing a run in an inning of work.
Game Two
In game two, it would be a better start for the Golden Eagles, who would take a 3-0 lead of their own in the second inning.
Chayse Doering (Fr., OF, Shakopee, Minn.) had an RBI groundout, Blake would single and Curry would cap off the scoring with a sacrifice fly.
In the third, Yandle singled back up the middle, scoring
Haley Koch (Sr., C, Mondamin, Iowa), giving the Golden Eagles a 4-0 advantage.
Then in the fourth, Curry would break the program record, singling on a line to center field, scoring Blake and giving the Golden Eagles a 5-0 lead. Three hitters later, Koch would make it 6-0 with an RBI groundout.
The Marauders would cut the Golden Eagle lead in half with a three run home run in the sixth, making it 6-3.
Minnesota Crookston would say what you can do, we can do better, as they would score three runs of their own in the sixth, making it 9-3, which would be the final score.
Minnesota Crookston would finish with 11 hits in the game, as they had four hitters with two hits; Blake, French, Koch and
Bryanna Decker (Fr., C/OF, Roseville, Calif.) each had a pair of hits.
Stuck earned the start and earned her second win of the day, moving the 2-2 on the year. Stuck struck out a season-high six, giving up just two runs.
Kailee Pollard (Sr., P, Marshalltown, Iowa) came in and slammed the door for the Golden Eagles, going two innings, giving up just one hit.
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston will look to continue their winning ways tomorrow afternoon, as they host Minot State for their final home doubleheader of the season. First pitch is set for noon.
