CROOKSTON PIRATE SOFTBALL SWEPT AT WARROAD

The Crookston Pirate Girl’s Softball team suffered a pair of run-rule losses to a solid Warroad team in a Section 8AA doubleheader played in Warroad.

Game One –
The Warriors scored early and often to cruise to a win in game one. After Crookston went down in order in the top of the first, two singles and a walk loaded the bases before an infield single by Warroad’s Tiffani Foster gave the host’s a 1-0 lead. Saige Lund added an RBI single to score Nicole Dalen pushing the Warriors’ advantage to 2-0. Madison Lavergne singled in the host’s third run of the inning before a sacrifice fly hit by Anna Holter made it 4-0. In the second inning, Warroad’s Nicole Dalen drove in Grace Foster making it 5-0, and the Warrior’s weren’t done. Madison Lavergne doubled to right field plating three more runs and pushing Warroad’s lead to 9-0 later in the inning. CJ Lanctot concluded the innings scoring with a two-RBI double concluding the Warriors’ 10-run inning as Warroad took a 14-0 lead into the third inning. The hosts added six more runs in the third inning with a two-run home run from Lanctot clearing the left field fence to give the Warriors a 20-0 lead heading into the fourth and final inning. CJ Lanctot was dominant on the mound as well as at the plate, carrying a no-hitter into the fourth inning which was broken up by a Maddie Salentine single to center field to start the fourth inning. A line out moved Salentine into second base before Jasmin Hanson doubled to center field scoring Salentine and plating the Pirates first run of the day. “(CJ Lanctot) had a no-hitter going into that last inning, Maddie broke that up,” said Crookston head coach Robber Nessler. “Jasmin had a double to bring it in. That was our only run.” Crookston was unable to mount any more offense in the fourth as Warroad closed out a 20-1 win in game one. “It was a super cold day,” noted Nessler. “It was kind of rainy, it was miserable up here, but Warroad was definitely ready to play, and we were not in that first game especially.”

For Crookston
Jasmin Hanson – 1-2, RBI
Maddie Salentine – 1-2, run

For Warroad
Marlie Johnston – 3-3, 3 RBI, 4 runs
Madison Lavergne – 3-3, 4 RBI, 2 runs
CJ Lanctot – 3-4, 4 RBI, run

Game Two –
Crookston’s offense didn’t take nearly as long to get going in the second game. Kenze Epema singled to start a one-out rally in the top of the first inning. An error allowed Jenna Coauette to reach extending the inning before Ashlyn Genereux walked to load the bases. With the bases full, Brylee Lessard walked plating Epema and giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead. Crookston left the bases loaded with a pop out ending the inning with the visitors ahead 1-0. “We did start strong in the game,” said Crookston head coach Robbe Nessler. “We left some girls on base in the first inning, which has kind of been a problem for us as well this year. Just trying to get some runs scored, we can’t always come through on that, but we did take the lead early.” Warroad responded in the bottom of the first inning with back-to-back singles and a walk loading the bases before a wild pitch allowed the Warriors’ Marlie Johnston to score from third base tying the game at 1-1. Another wild pitch scored Grace Foster before Saige Lund singled in a run making it 3-1 Warroad. Two more wild pitches scored two more runs for the host’s to take a 5-1 lead before an error at third base allowed Anna Holter to score giving the Warriors a 6-1 advantage. Warroad attempted a double-steal later in the inning resulting in an out at second base while Sydney Otto scored from third boosting the host’s advantage to 7-1 after one inning. In the second inning, Saige Lund scored on a passed ball giving Warroad an 8-1 edge before Nicole Dalen singled to center field scoring Madison Lavergne making it 9-1. Marlie Johnston drove in the final run in the second inning with an RBI single giving the Warriors a 10-1 lead into the third inning. A single and walk opened the third inning for Warroad before Saige Lund singled in Kennedy Wallace to make it 11-1 before Sydney Otto plated the second run of the inning with a groundout making it 12-1. Nicole Dalen singled in the final two runs of the inning with a fly ball to left field giving Warroad a 14-1 lead after three innings. Crookston was unable to cut into that deficit over the final two innings falling 14-1 in five innings by run-rule in game two. “Just all around they’re well coached, they know the game well, and they played us tough last year and beat us pretty bad, and it was pretty similar this year,” summarized Nessler. “If we can get to the point where Warroad’s at that something to strive for. They’re just a solid program which is what we’re working towards and hopefully getting to. Obviously right now, looking at those lopsided scores, we’re not quite there yet.”

The Pirates fall to 0-6 on the year. Crookston returns to the diamond on Thursday when the Pirates host Thief River Falls at 5:30 p.m. with the Riverview Health Pregame show beginning on KROX at 5:00 p.m.

For Crookston
Kenze Epema – 1-3, run

For Warroad
Saige Lund – 2-2, 2 RBI, 2 runs, walk
Nicole Dalen – 2-2, 3 RBI, walk
Marlie Johnston – 2-3, RBI, run, walk