Sean Williams/MDN Reegan Floyd (15) of Minot State locked in and ready to deliver a pitch during a game at the MSU Bubble earlier this season.

CROOKSTON, Minn. — Coming off a split with Southwest Minnesota State earlier in the week, the Minot State softball team (23-17 overall, 10-8 NSIC) continued their road trip in the North Star State, as they faced off with University of Minnesota, Crookston (15-24 overall, 3-11 NSIC) on Wednesday afternoon for a doubleheader.

The benefit of being on the road paved the way for the Beavers and Golden Eagles to get their games in, as they avoided a rainy day in the Magic City. Behind another brilliant performance from Reegan Floyd in game one, the Beavers picked up a 3-1 win before falling in game two for a split.

Looking to provide sunshine immediately, the Beavers opened game one by taking the lead in the top of the first. Leo Watson walked, then advanced to third on an Izzy Penner double. Gabi Dawyduk brought Watson home on a groundout, giving the Beavers an early 1-0 advantage.

After the early run, the Beavers went quiet for a while, but Floyd kept the Golden Eagles silent as well. A single by Shaelyn Grant in the bottom of the first was quickly eliminated by an inning-ending double play and was just one of the three hits the Golden Eagles were able to generate against Floyd in game one.

Until the Golden Eagles were able to tag Floyd for a run in the bottom of the sixth, Floyd faced no more than four batters in each half inning leading up to that point. The run, however, was unearned as the Golden Eagles took advantage of two Beaver errors to start the inning, eventually tying the game at 1-1 on an Alina Avalos single.

With it being a new ballgame late in the battle, the Beavers countered by getting help from defensive miscues which led to two more runs in the top of the seventh. Taylor Smith doubled to start the frame, then scored on an error with Taryn Bennett batting. Bennett came around to score on an Abbey Kelley groundout, bringing the game to its final of 3-1 in favor of the Beavers.

Floyd slammed the door shut in the bottom of the seventh by generating three groundouts in what was a strong point for her all afternoon. Floyd faced 24 batters in the game and retired 12 of them on the ground.

Picking up a win and going for a complete game was Floyd, as she tossed seven innings while allowing one run (zero earned) on three hits, one walk and four strikeouts. The win was her eighth of the year.

Penner went 2-for-4 with a double, Smith went 1-for-1 with a double, and Sara Van Wickler went 2-for-3 to lead the way for the Beavers in game one.

Game two featured a similar start for the Beavers, however, the Golden Eagles countered and kept the jabs coming as they were able to earn a split with a 7-4 win.

A sacrifice fly from Brooklyn Morrison and Kelley scoring on an error gave the Beavers a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Despite holding that lead for the next few innings, the Golden Eagles chipped away at the lead in the bottom of the third, then tallied four runs in the following inning and held the lead the rest of the way.

Starting off strong and finishing strong were the Beavers, as they tried to come back in the top of the seventh by plating two runs. A Watson bunt created an error that allowed Smith to score, then heads up base running by Hannah Murray generated another run.

Even though the Beavers made it a 7-4 game, that was as close as they came with the Golden Eagles taking game two by the same score.

Watson went 3-for-4, Chesie McLaughlin went 1-for-2 with a walk, Murray went 1-for-1, and Morrison went 0-for-2 with an RBI to lead Minot State in game two.

Calley Olson started in game two and took the loss, but still put forth a good effort by limiting the Golden Eagles to three earned runs. Dawyduk chipped in two innings out of the bullpen while not allowing an earned run.

The Beavers will head home for their next series, where they will host Winona State University on Saturday. Weather permitting, the game is scheduled for noon at South Hill Complex.