The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Softball team couldn’t hold on to an early lead as Bemidji State scored eight runs late in the game to win game one 8-4. UMC bounced back to win the second game 4-3 in extra innings to earn a split of the doubleheader played in Bemidji.
GAME ONE
After a scoreless first and second inning, UMC struck first with a solo home run by Alyssa Stillman (Soph. Hortonville, Wis) for a 1-0 lead through three innings.
In the fourth inning, UMC added another run. After the first two batters were retired, Hannah Macias (Jr., West Covina, CA) singled and came into score on a Sarah Velasquez (Fresh. Chino, CA) double to right-center field for a 2-0 lead.
Bemidji State had a huge inning in the bottom of the fifth inning. The leadoff batter reached on a UMC error and that was followed bye back-to-back singles to load the bases with nobody out. The next two Bemidji State batters were retired, but Bemidji came up with some big two-out hits. The next two Beaver batters singled to score a run apiece. The next BSU batter walked to score a run and then the Beavers singled in two runs for a 5-2 lead.
UMC responded in the top of the sixth inning with singles by Alina Avalos (Soph. Riverside, CA), and Shaelyn Grant (Fresh. Grand Junction, CO). And with two outs, the Golden Eagles Velasquez singled to score a run and Stillman reached on an error that allowed another run to score to get within a 5-4 deficit. Bemidji State grounded out to start the bottom of the sixth inning, but the next batter was hit by a pitch, and the Beavers followed with two singles and a double to knock in three runs for an 8-4 lead.
UMC wasn’t able to score in the top of the seventh inning and Bemidji State won the game 8-4.
FOR THE GAME ONE BOX SCORE, CLICK HERE
GAME TWO
UMC started the game with a leadoff triple by Gabriella Blomdahl (Soph. Hermantown H.S.), but she was picked off. Dana Zarn (Soph. Winnipeg, Man) was hit by a pitch and Rachel Jones (Fresh. Fort Collins, CO) reached on an error. Jones stole second base and Zarn stole home to give the Golden Eagles a 1-0 lead. Bemidji State answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning with a rbi double and another run scored on a wild pitch to give the Beavers a 2-1 lead.
UMC tied the game in the top of the second inning when Grant tripled and scored on an error.
The Golden Eagles led off the top of the fifth inning with a Darian Pancirov (Sr. Las Vegas, Nev) walk. Velasquez pinch-ran for Pancirov, stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Blomdahl walked and stole second and runners were at second and third with nobody out. Zarn singled to score a run and UMC took a 3-2 lead. The next three batters struck out and the threat was over.
Bemidji State tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with a single and a pinch-hit two-out rbi single up the middle.
Nobody scored in the seventh inning, forcing extra innings. In the top of the eighth inning, Avalos doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Cassie Querry (Sr. Cassville, PA) walked and Grant reached on a fielding error on the second baseman and a run scored, and UMC took a 4-3 lead. Bemidji State couldn’t touch UMC pitcher Katie Humhej (Sr. Surrey, British Columbia) who struck out all three Beaver batters to pick up the 4-3 win to earn a split on the day.
FOR THE GAME TWO BOX SCORE, CLICK HERE
UMC is 5-11 on the year and 1-1 in the NSIC and will host Sioux Falls on Friday. Bemidji State is 5-11 in 1-1 in the NSIC.
