In a matchup between two nationally ranked softball teams, the #4 Anoka-Ramsey split a pair of contests with #10 Itasca on Wednesday afternoon.  The Golden Rams fell 5-4 in the first game before prevailing 11-2 in the second game.

The opening game of the doubleheader saw the Golden Rams take 3-1 lead into the top of the 4^th inning when Itasca proceeded to score four runs on a walk, homerun, two base hits and an error to take a 5-3 lead.

Anoka-Ramsey put runners on 1^st and 2^nd with no one out in the top of 5^th, but could only muster one run on Bailey Zenk's RBI single. This cut the lead to 5-4.

Then in the bottom of the 7^th, Mickey Guenther led off with a base hit, advanced to second on a wild pitch, was bunted over to 3^rd, but the Golden Rams couldn't push the tying run across.

Anoka-Ramsey out hit Itasca 12-4 for the game. Having a multi-hit game were Guenther 3-3, 1 RBI, Karina Pritchard 2-3 with 2 RBI's and Ashley Stepaniak who was also 2-3.

Bailey Zenk took the loss but pitched very well. She struck out 7 and only allowed the 4 hits. Zenk is now 7-4 on the season.

 The nightcap of the twin bill saw Anoka-Ramsey jump off to an early 3-0 lead courtesy of two base on balls and Lindsey Swanson's 3-run homerun. This was Swanson's 8^th homerun of the year.

The Golden Rams then scored 2 more times in the 3^rd inning and three more times in the 5^th and 6^th innings.

Swanson had a monster game at the plate going 4-4, scoring 4 runs, a double to go along with her homerun and five runs batted in.

Swanson notched her 11^th win of the season against only 5 losses. She only allowed 3 hits and zero earned runs.

Next up for the Golden Rams is a date with MCAC Southern Division opponent #8 St. Cloud CTC on Friday, April 27, in Waite Park at Rivers Edge Park. Game times are 3:30pm and 5:30pm.

This is a battle for the top spot in the MCAC Southern Division. Anoka-Ramsey is 19-10 and still 6-0 in division play.