MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State softball team came out swinging, rolling to a sweep of visiting Minnesota Crookston, 8-1 and 6-3 in an NSIC doubleheader at SCHEELS Complex at South Hill on Saturday.
The sweep provided the perfect opportunity for the Beavers (20-15 overall, 15-7 NSIC) to honor eight seniors who are playing their final home games this weekend, as Minot State will be back in action hosting Bemidji State in another doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Following Saturday's sweep, the Beavers honored seniors Lexi Barduson, Taryn Bennett, Courtney Chatburn, Gabi Dawyduk, Lauryn DeGuzman, Kilee Fehd, Brooklyn Morrison, and Izzy Penner.
With Saturday's sweep, the Beavers also secured a berth in the 10-team NSIC Tournament in Sioux Falls held May 1-4.
GAME 1 | Minot State 8, Minnesota Crookston 1
MINOT, ND -- Minot State got contributions from every part of their lineup as all nine starters reached base safely, helping the Beavers put eight runs on the board and defeat the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles 8-1 Saturday.
Junior Reegan Floyd (7-7) started in the circle and picked up the win for Minot State The right-hander went seven innings, giving up one run on six hits, allowing two walks and striking out four.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers got the scoring started early, putting runs on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. Minot State scored twice in the inning on back-to-back run-scoring doubles from junior Abby Lohse and sophomore Anna LaCount.
The Beavers expanded on their advantage in the fourth inning after the Golden Eagles cut it to 2-1. Minot State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of junior Abbey Kelley, which brought the score to 3-1 in favor of the Beavers.
Minot State held Minnesota Crookston scoreless before building its lead to 6-1 the following inning. The Beavers recorded three runs in the frame, two of them coming across on a two-RBI double from senior Taryn Bennett.
Minot State held the Golden Eagles scoreless before their offense got back to its scoring ways the next inning. The Beavers recorded two runs when a single from senior Gabi Dawyduk brought home senior Lauryn DeGuzman and senior Brooklyn Morrison, bringing the score to 8-1 in favor of Minot State. The score remained 8-1 for the rest of the game as the Beavers coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Junior Hannah Murray compiled three base hits in the game for Minot State.
» Every Minot State starter reached base safely in the win.
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Minot State took a 2-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Beavers out-hit the Golden Eagles at a 10-6 clip.
» DeGuzman stole two bases in Saturday's game.
» Minot State went 7-for-16 (.438) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers limited Minnesota Crookston to just 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 28 Minnesota Crookston hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out four.
» The Beavers drew five walks from Minnesota Crookston pitching.
» Murray led the Beavers at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
» Minnesota Crookston was led offensively by freshman Whitnee Curry, who went 1-for-1 with a double and an RBI.
» Freshman Evie Stuck led the Golden Eagles pitching staff, throwing 3.1 innings of four-run ball.
GAME 2 | Minot State 6, Minnesota Crookston 3
MINOT, ND -- Senior Gabi Dawyduk was dominant on Saturday, striking out eight Minnesota Crookston hitters over seven innings of work to help lead the Minot State Beavers past the Golden Eagles 6-3.
In addition to her eight strikeouts, Dawyduk (8-6) tossed seven innings, giving up three runs, zero earned, on four hits and walking one for Minot State.
In the batter's box, the Beavers were paced by sophomore Anna LaCount, who went 3-for-3 on the day with a double and three RBI. Junior Hannah Murray put together a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Dawyduk also contributed for Minot State, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the second inning. Minot State scored twice in the inning on run-scoring doubles from Dawyduk and Murray.
The Beavers then held the Golden Eagles scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Minot State scored three runs in the frame, buoyed by a two-RBI double from LaCount, which brought the score to 5-0 in favor of the Beavers.
Minot State held Minnesota Crookston without a run before expanding their lead to 6-0 the following inning. The Beavers scored once on an RBI single off the bat of LaCount. Minnesota Crookston put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Minot State still held on for the 6-3 win.
GAME NOTES
» LaCount compiled three base hits in the game for Minot State.
» Dawyduk struck out eight Golden Eagles hitters.
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the third, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Beavers had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Golden Eagles 2-0 in the bottom of the second.
» The Beavers out-hit the Golden Eagles at a 10-4 clip.
» Minot State went 4-for-11 (.364) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers limited Minnesota Crookston to just 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 28 Minnesota Crookston hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and four fly balls while striking out eight.
» LaCount led the Beavers at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double and three RBI.
» Minnesota Crookston was led offensively by freshman Haley Koch, who went 1-for-3 with a double.
» Freshman Alexa Guilford led the Golden Eagles pitching staff, throwing two shutout innings.
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