The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Softball team earned a well-deserved split on the first day of their Florida trip with a come-from-behind 8-7 win over Itasca before falling 8-0 to Sauk Valley. 

In game one, Itasca and Anoka-Ramsey were tied 1-1 heading into the top of the 5th inning, when Itasca put up six runs to take a 7-1 lead.

Down, but not out, the Golden Rams came back with two runs in the bottom of the 5th, then three more in the 6th and with one-out in the bottom of the 7th, freshman Karina Pritchard (Richfield), hit a game winning single for the victory.

The team pounded out 16 hits on the day led by sophomores Shannon Olson (Andover), Bailey Cole (Anoka) and Steph Keeler (Fridley) with eight hits between them. Also, freshman Ashton Prachar (Rush City) and Pritchard had their first career multi-hit games.

The Golden Rams were led on the mound by Lindsey Swanson (Irondale, FR). Swanson scattered 10 hits picking up her 1st collegiate win.

In game two, Anoka-Ramsey put up a tough fight through 3.5 innings. Down only 1-0, Sauk Valley, with two outs, put up a three-spot and scored four more in the 5th for the win. Offensively, the Golden Rams could only manage five hits against a tough Sauk Valley pitcher.

The Golden Rams are now 1-5 on this young season. Next up for the Golden Rams is Rainy River and Spoon River, another D-2 opponent out of Illinois.