MORRIS, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris kicked off their second day against Crown College with a devastating 2-9 loss to the Polars. The Cougars would rally and take game two 5-1 to split the day and take the series 2-1.

Crown 9, Minnesota Morris 2

The Cougars broke the scoring open in the bottom of the first inning with runs from the leadoff hitter Sierra Stevens and the number three batter Alyssa Thornton. The Polars were quick to respond in the top of the second and, despite the Cougars battling on both offense and defense, posted three two-run innings and a three-run inning to command the win. 

Hits for Minnesota Morris came from Stevens, Thornton, Ashley Albert, and Anna Athey. Stevens added on a stolen base, while Thornton hit the lone triple of the game to bring in Stevens' run. Morgan Whilhelm pitched four strikeouts on the day and 13 flyouts. 

Minnesota Morris 5, Crown 1

Once again, the Cougars were the ones to get the scoring rolling early. Jillian Anderson launched a long single to bring in both Olivia Losee and Stevens to score in the bottom of the first. The remainder of the Minnesota Morris runs came in the bottom of the second, with Taylor Johnson and Malena Mahoney both crossing home plate in the same play. Stevens scored her second run of the game on an RBI bunt from Losee to round out the Cougars' scoring. The Polars scored their lone run in the top of the third, and the game remained scoreless with Minnesota Morris up 5-1.

Losee, Thornton, Anderson, and Mahoney all went 2-3 at the plate for the Cougars in game two. Stevens added another stolen base on the day in addition to her two runs. Losee led the defense with seven putouts from left field while Thornton pitched three strikeouts and 15 flyouts from the circle.