The Crookston Pirate Softball team could not overcome a few early errors as all four runs they allowed were unearned and their comeback came up short in a 4-2 loss to the Roseau Rams in a North Sub-Section 8AA play-in game. “They got those first three runs early and we just couldn’t catch up,” said Pirates Head Coach Sunny Bowman.
The Pirates were able to get a two-out walk in the top of the first, but nothing more than that and remained scoreless through one at-bat.
The Rams scored right away in the first inning after a lead off walk to Justine Vonasek, she advanced to second on a stolen base. The ball got into center field and allowed Vonasek to get to third. She scored on the same play when the ball got past the Crookston outfielders to give the Rams a 1-0 lead. With two outs, the Rams had the bases loaded with a single, fielder’s choice, and walk. Jenna Coauette got a grounder right back at her that went off her glove. With a quick throw needed, it was off target and two more runs came into score. “We maybe came out a little big flat,” explained Coach Bowman.
Neither team was able to score in the second or third innings despite each team having a bases loaded opportunity. “We watched a few too many pitches go past us for strikes,” said Coach Bowman. “She [Brooklyn Hulst] was a fast pitcher and she placed her pitches well and we couldn’t quite catch up.” Hulst finished the day with 14 strikeouts.
The Rams got another run in the bottom of the fourth. A one-out single from Shavonda Bender got a runner on. She got to second on an error, third on a fielder’s choice, and she scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-0.
The Pirates were able to break through in the sixth inning with a run. After two quick outs, Emma Boll reached on a walk, and then Emily Bowman struck out but hustled to first on a dropped third strike to beat the throw. With runners on the corners, Aleah Bienek continued her hot hitting at the plate with an RBI single to center field to make it 4-1. “It is tough to believe that Aleah is just a first year player. She has come a long way in the short time we have had this year and I am very excited for her Senior year,” said Coach Bowman. “Some balls we hit well didn’t go for hits, but the hits we did have were good ones.”
Heading into the seventh inning, the Pirates needed three runs to tie the game and keep their season going. They got a good start to the inning when Addie Fee singled. She stole second and got to third on a groundout. After a walk to Coauette, Reese Swanson snuck a base hit to right field to score Fee and cut the deficit to 4-2. The Pirates were unable to advance the tying run from first and their season ended with a 4-2 loss to the Roseau Rams. “Just a couple weeks ago this team beat us twice in the same day by run-rule in both games and today we just lost by two,” explained Coach Bowman. “That alone shows the improvement we have made this season and we have done well.”
The Pirates season ends with a record of 4-17. They will lose three Seniors from this year’s team- Emma Boll, Amber Cymbaluk, and Kenze Epema. “Emma has been our rock and a pillar in the middle infield. She is just a great leader on-and-off the field. “Amber had a great day behind the plate and all season for us. She always hit the ball hard and she did today, but just ended up right at defenders. And Kenze had the diving SportsCenter play today. She keeps the team calm and she is always positive,” added Coach Bowman. “Those Seniors are rocks, mental motivators, and leaders all the way around… They will be missed.”
The Roseau Rams improve to 9-11 on the season and they face Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton right after this game.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
| CROOKSTON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Roseau | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 4 | 6 | 0 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
| Jenna Coauette- Crookston | 6.0 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Brooklyn Hulst- Roseau | 7.0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 14 |
For CROOKSTON
Emma Boll- 1 for 2, 2 walks, run
Reese Swanson- 2 for 4, double, RBI
Aleah Bienek- 1 for 3, RBI
Addie Fee, 1 for 4, run
For Roseau
Molly Jensen- 2 for 4
Justine Vonasek and Shavonda Bender- 1 hit and 1 run each
Kayla Jacobson and Emilie Johnson- 1 hit each
