The Crookston Pirate Softball team had a solid start to the game, but Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal scored seven runs in the final two innings to win the game 13-3 in six innings in Twin Valley.
FIRST INNING
Crookston had a threat going to start the game with a one-out single for Emily Bowman, but she was thrown out trying to steal second. Maddi Bruggeman singled before the next batter was retired.
NCE/UH started off the bottom of the inning with a triple a hit batter, and after a strikeout they singled in a run for a 1-0 lead. Payton Haspel followed with a single to score a run, and Josey Tjon hit into a fielder’s choice to score a run for a 3-0 lead.
SECOND INNING
Crookston and NCE/UH were retired in 1-2-3 fashion.
THIRD INNING
Crookston’s Carley Knutson and Dani Kresl walked with one out. The next batter flew out to right field before Madi Bruggeman singled to right field to score two runs to bring the Pirates within a 3-2 deficit.
NCE/UH answered in the bottom of the inning as Anna Begg walked, Jeran Madson singled and Payton Haspel singled up the middle to score a run. The Crookston centerfielder misplayed the ball, and it rolled all the way to the fence to allow two more runs to score for a 6-2 lead.
FOURTH INNING
Kambelle Freije led off the inning by reaching on an error before Leah Johanneck singled. Brylee Darco hit a line drive to right field to score a run and Crookston trailed 6-3. The bases were loaded with nobody out, but the next three batters were retired.
NCE/UH’s Izzy Klementson had a one -out single before the next two batters were retired and the Titans took a 6-3 lead into the fifth inning.
FIFTH INNING
Crookston’s Reese Swanson reached on a one-out walk before the next two batters were retired.
The Titan leadoff batter was hit by a pitch and the next batter reached on an error. The next two batters were retired before Tatum Halverson singled to score a run and Mackenzie Jay singled to score a run for an 8-3 lead through five innings.
SIXTH INNING
Crookston’s Cassie Solheim singled with one out and Knutson walked, but the next two batters were retired.
NCE/UH came out in the sixth inning swinging the bat as Reagan Oberg singled, Anna Begg singled to score a run. After a strikeout, Haspel was hit by a pitch and Tjon knocked in a run on a sacrifice fly for a 10-3 lead. Engen tripled to score a run and Halvorson singled to score a run for a 12-3 lead. Klementson hit a hard ground ball and after the ball was bobbled, she beat the throw to first base and another run scored and the Titans won the game 13-3 in six innings.
CLICK HERE to listen to Coach Sunny Bowman’s comments.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
| Crookston | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 | 7 | 5 |
| NCE/UH | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | – | 13 | 13 | 1 |
| IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
| Dani Kresl – Crox (L) Emily Bowman – Crox |
3.0 3.0 |
5 8 |
6 7 |
5 0 |
3 2 |
4 2 |
| Olivia Theis – NCE/UH (W) Anna Begg – NCE/UH |
4.1 1.2 |
6 1 |
3 0 |
2 0 |
3 1 |
4 3 |
CROOKSTON Leaders-
Madi Bruggeman – 2 for 3, 2 rbi
Cassie Solheim – 2 for 3
Brylee Darco – 1 for 3, rbi (first varsity hit and rbi)
NCE/UH leaders-
Payton Haspel – 2 for 3, 3 runs, 2 rbi
Jerran Madson – 2 for 3, 3 runs, rbi
Tatum Halverson – 2 for 4, 2 rbi, run
