(Crookston, Minn.) - The University of Minnesota, Crookston Women's Softball team opened the NSIC season at home today as the Golden Eagles hosted Augustana College a team that is ranked fifth in the NCAA Central Region. Despite just two hits on the day, U of M, Crookston pushed the Vikings for seven innings until Augustana scored a run in the seventh to take the 5-4 victory. The second game is was Augustana's Taylor Kapsch who hit a two-run homerun to help the Vikings to a 3-0 victory in the second game.
 
Game 1: The Golden Eagles struck first in game one as Sarena Diederichs (C, 5-8, JR, St. Cloud, Minn.) was hit by a pitch, stole second base and scored on an error by the Augustana first baseman. Minnesota, Crookston added three in the third inning as Kayla Bowar (SS, 5-4, JR, Moorhead, Minn.) reached on a base hit. She was moved up by Krystal Plouff (OF, 5-2, SO, Forest Lake, Minn.) who was hit by a pitch and UMC loaded the bases with a base hit by Erin Fowle (P, 5-8, FR, Winnipeg, Manitoba). Stacey Marcum (P, 5-7, FR, Merrill, Wis.) hit a high fly ball to the second baseman that was carried by the wind. The Viking player dropped the ball and scored all three Golden Eagle runners for a 4-0 lead. Augustana came back with two runs in the fifth and two runs in the sixth on a Brittany Coufal homerun. Augustana scored one run in the seventh inning after the Golden Eagles recorded two quick outs. Two Vikings walked and on scored on a Taylor Kapsch base hit for the 5-4 win. Erin Fowle pitch six outstanding innings giving up 10 hits and four runs while striking out three batters. Steph Thomas (P, 5-9, JR, St. Albert, Alberta) took the loss pitching one inning and giving up one earned run.
 
Game 2:  U of M, Crookston's Stacey Marcum (P, 5-7, FR, Merrill, Wis.) followed Fowle with an outstanding performance of her own. She threw seven innings and gave up three runs while striking out three Viking batters. Marcum was out-dueled by Augustana's Britt Stewart who threw a no-hitter for the Vikings. Two homeruns were the difference in the game as Elizabeth Murray hit a solo homerun in the fourth and was followed by a two-run homerun by Taylor Kapsch.
 
The Golden Eagles are now 3-9 on the season and 0-2 in NSIC play. Augustana is 18-5 overall and 2-0 in conference play, Minnesota, Crookston returns to the UMC Softball Field tomorrow to host Wayne State College who is ranked third in the Central Region. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
 
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Photos: Top- Erin Fowle, Bottom- Stacey Marcum
 
The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).