CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston softball team will make their home debut at the UMC Softball Field this weekend as they host Winona State University Sat., March 28 at 1 and 3 p.m. The Golden Eagles will then take on Upper Iowa University Sun., March 29 at 1 and 3 p.m. at the UMC Softball Field.

The Golden Eagles enter the weekend with a 4-16 (0-2 NSIC) mark on the 2015 season, their first under Head Coach Don Stopa. Winona State comes into the weekend with a 18-7 (0-0 NSIC) record. The Peacocks are 5-16 (0-0 NSIC) coming into the weekend.

Minnesota Crookston has been led on the season by Victoria Bayliss (Fr., OF, West Bloomfield, Mich./Elementary Education), who is hitting .418 with 10 runs scored and nine runs batted in (RBI's). In addition to Bayliss, Allison Foley (Jr., SS, Lockport, Ill./Accounting) comes into Saturday with a .413 batting average with 15 runs scored and eight RBI's.

In the circle, Bailey Braatz (Jr., RHP, Buffalo, Minn./Sports and Rec Management) leads the way with a 2-6 mark and a 5.66 earned runs average (ERA) in 50.2 innings pitched. Jordyn Derflinger (Jr., OF/RHP, Henderson, Nev./Elementary Education) is 1-4 with a  5.97 ERA in 31.2 innings pitched.

Winona State has been led by Morgan Lintz, who is hitting .355 with 11 runs scored and 24 RBI's with seven doubles and three home runs. Reed Karsten is also off to a strong start for the Warriors with a .341 batting average, 23 runs scored and 11 RBI's. In the circle for the Warriors, Hanna Lythberg leads the way with a 9-3 mark and a 1.60 ERA in 74.1 innings pitched. Ashley Walker has also been strong for Winona State with a 7-3 record and a 2.07 ERA. The Warriors are coming off an NCAA Regional berth during the 2014 season.

Upper Iowa has been led by Jacqueline Flood, who is hitting .371 with 11 runs scored and 12 RBI's. Whitney Williams comes in with a .328 batting average with seven runs scored and four RBI's. The Peacocks have been led by Brooke Redmond, who is 3-8 with a 3.29 ERA in 61.2 innings pitched. In addition to Redmond, Flood is 2-6 with a 4.81 ERA in 55.1 innings pitched.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.
 
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).