The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) softball team lost both games of a double head by 8-0 and 2-0 scores to Minnesota State-Mankato in a Northern Sun Conference Double Header on Friday afternoon.
In the bottom of the second inning, Minnesota State-Mankato took the lead after a double and triple for a 1-0 lead. Mankato added a single to take a 2-0 lead going into the third inning.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, MSU-Mankato used three-straight walks to load the bases. A single through the left side of the infield plated two runs before an error at shortstop allowed the third run of the inning to score putting the Mavericks ahead 5-0. Another walk reloaded the bases with one out in the inning, but Mikayla Jones (Sr., Huxley, IA) forced back-to-back strikeouts to escape the jam with the Golden Eagles trailing 5-0 after four innings.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Minnesota State continued to put runners on base. A one-out single followed by a steal put one runner in scoring position before a second straight single plated the Mavericks’ first run of the inning. An errant throw by UMC’s pitcher allowed another run to score as Minnesota State’s lead expanded to 7-0. A single through the right side of the infield scored the third run of the inning and the game-winning run as the Mavericks closed out an 8-0 win in five innings via run-rule to start the doubleheader.
| G1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
| UMC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| MSU | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 0 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Paige Pitlick – UMC | 3.0 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Mikayla Jones – UMC | 1.2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
For UMC
Malia Pula – 1-2 (UMC’s only hit)
GAME TWO –
UMC was looking to bounce back in the second game of the doubleheader and had a leadoff single to start the game, but the Mavericks turned a double play and got out of the inning facing the minimum three batters. Mankato took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after a leadoff single, and two stolen bases before a throwing error allowed a run to score for a 1-0 Maverick lead.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Mankato added another run after a leadoff single, an error and another single for a 2-0 lead after four innings.
UMC had a scoring threat going in the top of the seventh inning when Maggie Morales (Sr. Tucson, AZ) doubled and with one out, Mikaela Rodriguez (Jr. Laveen, AZ) singled to put runners on the corners with one out. The next batter line out into a double play and Mankato held on for the 2-0 victory to complete the sweep.
UMC’s Hannah Macias (Fresh. West Covina, CA) recorded two of UMC’s five hits in the game. Taylor Graven (Soph. Green, IA) pitched a great game, scattering eight hits and she didn’t allow an earned run while striking out five and only walking one batter in the game.
UMC drops to 13-33 overall and 2-20 in the NSIC and the long road trip continues with two games at Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday. Mankato improves to 27-17 overall and 12-10 in the NSIC.
| G2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| UMC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| MSU | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Taylor Graven-UMC | 6.0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
For UMC
Hannah Macias – 2-3
