Topeka, Kan. -- Minnesota Crookston softball played well against a pair of MIAA schools, but dropped both on Saturday in Kansas. The Golden Eagles lost 5-3 to Emporia State and 9-4 to Central Missouri.
Minnesota Crookston falls to 2-11 on the season.
Game One
The Hornets would strike first in the top of the first, scoring on a bases loaded walk for an early 1-0 lead.
The Golden Eagles would answer right back in the bottom half. Rayna French (Jr., UT, La Salle, Manitoba) singled through the left side, scoring Riley Blake (So., OF/P, Las Vegas, Nev.) to knot things up at one. Chayse Doering (So., OF, Shakopee, Minn.) would triple to right field, scoring French and Emily Kalina (Fr., CF/P, Rice Lake, Wis.) for a 3-1 lead.
That would be the last runs the Golden Eagles would get across, as ESU would score four unanswered runs for the 5-3 win in game two.
The Golden Eagles pounded out nine hits, with two apiece coming from Kalina, Madeline Murray (So., C/3B, Abilene, Kan.) and Hannah Trzinski (So., 1B/P, Stevens Point, Wis.). The Golden Eagles left nine runners on the basepaths.
Megan Surgenor (Fr., P, Andover, Minn.) got the start in the circle, going 5.2 innings, giving up five earned runs on nine hits. Gabrielle Gomez (So., P/1B, Lakewood, Calif.) was outstanding in relief, giving up just two hits and no runs in an inning and a third.
Game Two
In game two, the Golden Eagles and Jennies would be scoreless through the first three innings, but UCM would strike for three runs in the top of the third.
They would add three more in the sixth for a 6-0 advantage.
The maroon and gold would not go quietly into the night. They would put some traffic on the basepaths and Surgenor would deliver a two RBI double down the left field line, scoring French and Madisen Yandle (So., SS, Lakeville, Minn.). Kalina would get the Golden Eagles even closer with a two RBI double of her own, scoring Surgenor and Valerie VanZant (Fr., MIF, Salina, Kan.).
UCM would add three in the top of the seventh, which would be enough insurance in the win over the Golden Eagles.
Minnesota Crookston finished with five hits in the game and earned six walks, with three from Trzinski.
Delaney Penner (So., P, Winkler, Manitoba) had her best outing in the circle on the season, giving up five hits and three earned runs in 6.2 innings of work. Walks continue to haunt the Golden Eagles, as they gave up 12 free passes on the day.
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston will close out their trip to Kansas tomorrow at 12 PM against Washburn.