The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles Softball team played an outstanding game to beat the Wayne State Wildcats 3-0 in the first game of a doubleheader. UMC continued to get solid pitching, defense, and offense to win the second game 8-2 to sweep the doubleheader in Crookston.
GAME ONE –
FIRST INNING.-
The first inning showed what kind of game UMC pitcher Thayda Houser (Sr. Seymour, IA) was going to have as she retired the first three batters of the game on 11 pitches.
UMC’s leadoff batter grounded out before Whitnee Curry (Jr. Lincoln, Neb) singled to right field. After a pop-out, Rayna French (Fresh. La Salle, Manitoba) reached an error, and UMC had runners at the corners. The next batter popped out, and UMC’s threat was done, and the game was scoreless after the first inning.
SECOND INNING
The first Wayne State batter flew out before a single. UMC’s Houser retired the next two batters to get out of the inning.
UMC’s leadoff batter in the second inning grounded out before Reagan Emerick (Jr. Macomb, Ill) doubled. The next two batters were retired and the game was still scoreless after two innings.
THIRD INNING
Wayne State started the third inning with a single before the next three batters were retired.
UMC finally got on the board in the bottom of the inning after a leadoff flyout, Curry doubled, and Shaelyn Grant (Sr. Grand Junction, CO) hit a two-run home run for a 2-0 Golden Eagle lead.
FOURTH INNING
UMC’s Houser had the perfect answer in the top of the fourth as she retired the Wayne State batters in 1-2-3 fashion.
UMC lined out to start the bottom of the inning before Emerick singled and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt. Maddie Shwaluk (Sr. Portage la Prairie, Manitoba) doubled down the left field line to score a run, and the Golden Eagles led 3-0
FIFTH INNING
Both teams were retired in 1-2-3 fashion in the fifth inning.Â
SIXTH INNING
Wayne State started the top of the inning with a single, only to have the next three batters retired.
With two outs in the bottom of the inning, Emerick singled and stole second base before the next batter was retired, and UMC took a 3-0 lead into the seventh inning.
SEVENTH INNING
UMC Pitcher Thayda Houser came out to finish the game, looking for a complete game shutout, and got the first Wayne State batter to fly out. She struck out the next batter and retired the third batter on a fly-out to complete the three-hit shutout and, more importantly, giving UMC its third NSIC victory of the season.
GAME ONE BOX SCORE, CLICK HERE
| Game 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| Wayne St | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| UMC | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0 |
For UMC-
Whitnee Curry – 3 for 3, run
Reagan Emerick – 3 for 3, run
Maddie Shwaluk – 1 for 2, rbi
Shaelyn Grant – 1 for 3, 2 rbi, run
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
| Thayda Houser – UMC (LP) | 7.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| S. Felt – WSU (LP) | 5.0 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| G. Lucka – WSU | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
GAME TWO –
FIRST INNING
Wayne State’s first two batters singled before the next batter hit into a double play. The next batter flew out and the Golden Eagles got out of the inning.
The first UMC batter grounded out before Curry walked. The next two batters were retired, and the game was scoreless after the first inning.
SECOND INNING
UMC’s Houser retired the first Wayne State batter on a fly out before striking out the next two batters.
UMC’s offense was retired in 1-2-3 fashion in the bottom of the inning.Â
THIRD INNING
Wayne State started the scoring in the top of the inning with a walk and double for a 1-0 lead. After a ground out, another Wayne State doubled and singled for a 2-0 lead.
UMC responded in the bottom of the inning with two outs. Paige Shwaluk singled before stealing second and third base. Curry reached on an error to score a run. Grant blasted a shot over the left field fence for a 3-2 lead. French singled, and Koch followed with a single to score another run for a 4-2 lead.
FOURTH INNING
Wayne State was retired in 1-2-3 fashion.
UMC’s bats stayed hot in the bottom of the inning as Emerick singled before a sacrifice bunt moved her to second base. Maddie Shwaluk doubled to score a run. Curry singled to score another run for a 6-2 lead.Â
FIFTH INNING
Houser came out of the game and Alexa Guilford came in to pitch in relief and retired the first two batters. The next batter was hit by a pitch and the next batter singled before a ground out and UMC got out of the jam.
UMC kept the bats going in the bottom of the inning when Koch singled and after a sacrifice bunt moved Koch to second base, Emerick hit into a fielder’s choice to score a run for a 7-2 lead. Maddie Shwaluk singled to score another run for an 8-2 lead.
SIXTH INNING
Wayne State had a one-out single and a walk, but the next two batters were retired.
UMC’s Curry started the bottom of the inning with a walk before the next three batters were retired.
SEVENTH INNING
UMC’s Evie Stuck came into pitch for the Golden Eagles and retired all three batters she faced, and UMC won the game 8-2 to complete the doubleheader sweep.
UMC improves to 11-29 overall and 4-12 in the NSIC and will host Augustana for a doubleheader on Sunday. Wayne State drops to 6-32 overall and 2-12 in the NSIC.
CLICK HERE FOR THE GAME 2 BOX SCORE
| Game 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| Wayne St | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
| UMC | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | – | 8 | 9 | 0 |
For UMC-
Maddie Shwaluk – 2 for 3, 2 rbi, run
Haley Koch – 2 for 4, rbi, run
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
| Thayda Houser – UMC (WP) | 4.0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Alexa Guilford – UMC Evie Stuck – UMC |
2.0 1.0 |
2 0 |
0 0 |
0 0 |
2 0 |
0 1 |
| Grace Lucka – WSU (LP) | 4.0 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Sophie Stuart – WSU | 2.0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
