Viera, Fla. -- Minnesota Crookston softball was back at the Space Coast Complex for their ninth and tenth games and final doubleheader in Florida.
Minnesota Crookston met up with Malone University for the second straight time, looking to avenge a 5-3 loss in extra innings last night.
The Golden Eagles finished with 13 hits in a 12-4 win over Malone, but was held at bay in game two, falling 6-1 to D'Youville.
Game One
In the opening frame, neither team would score a run.
The Pioneers would strike for two runs in the top of the second, using some small ball to take a two run advantage.
The Golden Eagles would answer right back with two of their own, as Emily Kalina (Fr., P/CF, Rice Lake, Wis.) would drive in a run with a sacrifice fly and Chayse Doering (So., OF, Shakopee, Minn.) would continue her fantastic Florida trip with an infield hit, scoring Irelyn Spencer (R-Jr., IF, Rapid City, S.D.).
Malone would use a Golden Eagle error in the top of the third to regain a one run advantage.
The Golden Eagles would once again answer in the bottom of the third. Spencer would drive in Ruth Freiberg (Sr., OF, Hopkins, Minn.), who was running for Sophie Juntunen (Sr., 1B, St. Michael, Minn.), who drove a double to left center field.
With two outs, Kalina would drive in a pair of runs to take a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the third.
The game would stay 5-3 in the fourth and fifth innings, but the Pioneers would strike for a run off Hannah Trzinski (So., P/1B, Stevens Point, Wis.) to make it a 5-4 game in favor of the Golden Eagles.
The Golden Eagles would get some much needed insurance in the bottom of the sixth, as Doering would drive in two more runs with a double down the left field line for a 7-4 lead.
Later in the inning, Juntunen would stay scorching hot, driving in a run for a 3-4 day. The Golden Eagles would score seven runs in the bottom of the sixth to run rule the Pioneers, 12-4.
A day after finishing with eight hits in 15 innings, the Golden Eagles finished with 13 hits in the game. Kalina had three hits and four RBI, a career high for the freshman. Juntunen finished with three hits, while Doering went 2-for-4 with three runs batted in and a run scored. Valerie VanZant (Fr., IF/P, Salina, Kan.) went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Trzinski picked up her team leading third win in the circle, giving up just one earned run in four innings of work.
Game Two
Minnesota Crookston would have a quick turnaround, playing D'Youville for the second straight season.
The Saints would strike for a run in the bottom of the first, but Gabrielle Gomez (So., P, Lakewood, Calif.) would get out of a second and third situation with no outs with just one run allowed.
The Saints would double their output in the second inning and take a 3-0 lead heading into the top of the third inning.
The Golden Eagles would get one back in the fifth, as Rayna French (Jr., C/UT, La Salle, Manitoba) would reach on a fielder's choice, scoring VanZant, who opened the inning with a bunt hit.
Minnesota Crookston would trail by five heading into the last inning.
The Saints would hold off the Golden Eagles by five, 6-1.
Kalina, Madisen Yandle (So., IF, Lakeville, Minn.) and Bryanna Decker (So., OF, Roseville, Calif.) led the way with a pair of hits. The Golden Eagles left eight runners on base.
Charlotte Dombrowski (Sr., P, Valparaiso, Ind.) was fantastic in her second Florida outing, not allowing a run in four innings of work.
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston will close out their excursion to Florida tomorrow morning against Thomas More.
