The Crookston Pirate Softball team traveled to Warroad on Tuesday night for a doubleheader against the Warroad Warriors. The Warriors were able to have a big day offensively scoring a total of 31 runs in the two games and coming away with a sweep, winning the first game 10-3, before winning the second game 21-6 in just four innings.
GAME ONE-
Crookston went quietly in the top of the first inning to open up Game 1, and the Warriors came out and took an early lead in the bottom of the inning. After the leadoff hitter was retired, Warroad would get back-to-back singles, followed by a fielders choice putting runners on the corners with two outs. Warroad would then hit three straight singles after that to score two runs and take a 2-0 lead after one inning of play.
Crookston had a tough time generating offense early in the game, and that allowed Warroad to build a big lead. The Pirates were held scoreless in the first four innings of the game and the Warriors took advantage offensively scoring six runs to lead 6-0 after four complete innings.
The Pirates were able to get on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning and cut the deficit to 6-2. Aleah Bienek would hit a 1-out single for Crookston, and after Emilee Tate reached base, Emily Bowman delivered a double to help Crookston score their first two runs of the game.
Warroad came right back in the bottom of the fifth and put the game out of reach with a four-run inning. The Warriors got four straight hits to start the frame, and another one later in the inning to put Crookston in a 10-2 hole with two innings remaining.
Crookston would get one run back in the top of the sixth inning after Reese Swanson hit a 1-out triple, and came around to score on a groundout from Dani Kresl, but it wasn’t enough and the Warriors would keep the Pirates off the scoreboard the rest of the game, winning it 10-3.
For Crookston-
Aleah Bienek 3 for 3, run
Emily Bowman 1 for 3, 2 rbi
Reese Swanson 1 for 3, run
| Game 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| Crookston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 2 |
| Warroad | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | – | 10 | 19 | 1 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
| Dani Kresl- Crookston (LP) | 6 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 1 |
| Kaitlyn Corteau- Warroad (WP) | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
GAME TWO-
Even though Warroad won Game 2 21-6, Crookston did hold an early lead. In the top of the second inning, the Pirates struck first after Reese Swanson was hit by a pitch and Dani Kresl singled. Both would eventually come all the way around to score and the Pirates led 2-0.
The lead didn’t last long, as Warroad would respond with 9 runs in the bottom of the second to take a 9-2 lead. The first nine hitters reached to start the inning, and in total the Warriors had 8 hits in the inning including a double and triple to help bring across multiple runs.
Crookston showed an incredible fight and countered with a four-run top of the third inning. The first five Pirates all reached base. Addie Fee hit a leadoff single, and after Bowman drew a walk, Quinn Seigle was hit by a pitch. Fee would try and race home on a passed ball and be thrown out at the plate for the first out of the inning, but Jenna Coauette gave the Pirates the momentum right back with a double to cut into the deficit. When the inning was all said and done, Crookston had cut into the deficit giving Warroad a 9-6 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning.
The Warriors were ruthless offensively and would score 8 more runs in the bottom of the third to go up 17-6. Similar to the bottom of the second inning, the first seven Warriors hitters all reached base and eventually scored.
After the Pirates went scoreless in the top of the fourth inning, the Warriors scored four runs in the bottom of the frame to win the game 21-6 in just four innings due to the run rule. The inning was highlighted by three Warriors doubles as they secured the win and the sweep over the Pirates.
Crookston drops to 1-10 on the season and will be back in action this Thursday, against the Northern Freeze. The first pitch between the two is set for 4:00 p.m. and the game can be heard on KROX Radio starting with the RiverView Health pregame show at 3:30 p.m.
For Crookston-
Reese Swanson 0 for 0, 2 HBP, 2 runs
Jenna Coauette 1 for 2, 2 rbi, run
Quinn Seigle 1 for 2, run
| Game 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | R | H | E |
| Crookston | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Warroad | 0 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 21 | 18 | 2 |
