The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles Softball team salvaged a split in Sunday’s doubleheader at Winona State, as they bounced back from an 11-0 loss in Game 1 with a 2-1 win in Game 2.
GAME ONE –
FIRST INNING
Riley Blake (FR, Las Vegas, NV) got the start at pitcher for UMC. She struggled early on, as the Warriors rattled off four early hits, including a two RBI singles and an RBI-double. Down 3-0 with two outs, Sydney McMurdle (FR, Twin Falls, ID) was called upon to finish the top of the inning. McMurdle helped UMC survive the half inning, leaving two Warriors on base. UMC’s offense was unable to get going in the bottom of the inning, as a strikeout and two groundouts brought a quick close to the first.
SECOND INNING
Winona State loaded the bases early, and Tiegan Mancuso added the fourth run of the day for the Warriors on a sac fly. With two outs, the Warriors loaded the bases again, with two more runs coming on a walk and an RBI-single. An error from third base spurred another Warrior run to make it 7-0. The top of the inning finished on a pop out, with UMC in a deep deficit. Just like the first inning, it was three straight Golden Eagle outs to keep it 7-0.
THIRD INNING
The Golden Eagles got two early outs with a runner on second, who was brought in on an RBI-single to center field. A ground out kept the score 8-0. UMC was again retired 1-2-3 to end the inning down 8.
FOURTH INNING
It was another inconsistent inning for the Golden Eagles, as a 2 RBI-double put the Warriors up 10-0 with 2 outs. Winona State tacked on one more run on a single from Dana Jones. A strikeout on the next at-bat gave UMC a chance to close the gap, An error from the Warriors helped UMC’s Whitney Curry (SR, Lincolin, NE) advance to first, but she was left there after the other Golden Eagle batters were retired.
FIFTH INNING
Gabrielle Gomez (FR, Lakewood, CA) was called into the circle for UMC, allowing just one walk and no hits in the top of the inning. UMC’s offense remained stagnant, and their solid bat contact resulted in two ground outs and a flyout, sealing an 11-0 win for Winona State.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
| WSU | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 11 | 12 | 1 |
| UMC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 1 |
For UMC-
n/a
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
| Jayda Berg (W) – WSU | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Sydney McMurdle – UMC | 3.1 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Riley Blake (L) – UMC | 0.2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Gabrielle Gomez – UMC | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
GAME TWO –
FIRST INNING
UMC went to Delaney Pinner (FR, Winkler, MB) at pitcher to open game 2. She and the Golden Eagles quickly secured the first two outs, but not before two Warriors got on base. A flyout ended the top of the inning. UMC’s offensive showed some life early on despite two early outs. Ranya French (SO, La Salle, MB) reached base on an error, and Emilee Haglidone (JR, Lincolin, NE) was walked moments later. They would both be left on base after a UMC strikeout, keeping the score at 0-0.
SECOND INNING
Penner threw two srtikeouts in the top of the second to keep the score even. Winona State pitcher Izzy Howe walked two Golden Eagles but threw two strikeouts, with the inning coming to a close after UMC’s Jocelyn Hernandez (FR, Tracy, CA) was caught stealing third.
THIRD INNING
Winona State had runners on the corners with one out, but two Penner strikeouts saved UMC from surrendering a run. UMC’s Whitney Curry was walked and advanced to second after a Rayna French single, but two foul outs left them on base and kept the score tied at 0.
FOURTH INNING
It was another quick top of the inning, as Winona state managed just one hit before the half-inning ending groundout at first base. UMC had little success offensively in the bottom inning, as all three Golden Eagle batters struck out.
FIFTH INNING
Penner walked Winona State’s Sam Keller, who would make it to third after a sac bunt and a passed ball. Keller would score the first run of the game after a single through the left from Alyssa Woelful. Two Warriors were left on base, but they ended the top of the inning up 1-0. When UMC took over, Riley Blake made it to second on a wild pitch. Another wild pitch sent Whitney Curry to second and pushed Blake to third. A passed ball allowed each runner to advance again, putting Curry on third and sending Blake home for the tying run. French then singled to bring Curry home and give UMC a 2-1 lead with one out. Winona State decided to switch pitchers, as Howe went to the dugout in favor of Jayda Berg. UMC managed to get one more hit before the final two outs were recorded in the inning, but they would enter the 6th up a run.
SIXTH INNING
Winona State’s batters were each retired by strikeout, and UMC’s offense did not last much longer. An Irelyn Spencer (R-SO, Rapid City, SD) single was the only sign of life for the Golden Eagles, who would hold onto their 2-1 lead heading into the 7th inning.
SEVENTH INNING
After two quick outs, Winona State had runners on first and second. UMC sent Evie Stuck (SR, Papillion, NE) to the circle to close the game. She walked the first batter to load the bases before throwing the final strikeout to seal a 2-1 win.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
| WSU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 1 |
| UMC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
For UMC-
Rayna French – 2 of 3, 1 RBI
Emilee Haggadone – 1 of 2
Irelyn Spencer – 1 of 1
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
| Delaney Pinner (W) – UMC | 6,2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Evie Stuck (S) – UMC | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Izzy Howe (L) – WSU | 4.1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 10 |
| Jayda Berg – WSU | 1.2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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