CROOKSTON, Minn. –The University of Minnesota Crookston softball program and head coach Ed Deugan announced the signing of Bailey Braatz (P, Hanover, Minn.) to a National Letter of Intent to begin playing during the 2014 season for the Golden Eagles. Braatz is the first signee for Deugan who will be entering his second season at the helm of the UMC program.
 
"We are excited that Bailey will be a Golden Eagle," Deugan said. "She is expected to be a significant contributor in the pitching circle, and also has the potential to contribute offensively."
 
Braatz is a right-handed pitcher who played at Buffalo H.S. She was an All-Mississippi 8 Conference selection in each of her four seasons as a member of the Bison softball team. She was named the conference's Pitcher of the Year during her freshman and sophomore seasons. In addition, Braatz was an All-Mississippi 8 All-Conference Academic selection during each of her four seasons of prep ball. Braatz was an All-Section pick as a sophomore and a senior. She held a 6-4 mark with a 1.76 earned runs average in 59 and two-thirds innings pitched as a senior in the circle for the Bison. Braatz threw a one-hitter in six innings pitched in a win over Monticello H.S. during her senior season at Buffalo H.S.
 
She is the daughter of Patty and Tim Braatz. Bailey was born July 20, 1995 in Kalamazoo, Mich. She plans to major in communications at UMC.
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

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The University of Minnesota, Crookston is an 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).