Game 1 StatsGame 2 StatsKatie Krauth and
Jessica Cooper each tossed complete game 2-hitters to propel the Augustana softball team to a North Central Conference sweep of in-state rival South Dakota Thursday afternoon at Bowden Field. The final scores were 5-1 and 2-0.
Krauth was overpowering, allowing one unearned run while striking out 11 in improving to 6-4. Cooper, meanwhile, was efficient, tossing a shutout while striking out five Coyotes.
USD (17-26, 3-7 NCC) took advantage of one walk, one base hit and two Viking errors to scratch across one run in the top of the first. With runners on first and second, Krystal Kirwan reached base on an infield single. However,
Ali Adamson's throw to first base was wide, allowing Alisha Yowell to score.
Krauth settled down after that, allowing only three baserunners over the final six innings.
Krauth also supplied the offensive muscle for Augustana (13-10-1, 3-2-1 NCC). Her 3-run home run highlighted a 5-run fifth inning. With two outs and runners at first and third,
Kristi Villar singled to score
Hillary Smith and tie the game 1-1. Krauth then belted her sixth home run of the year to give the Vikings a 4-1 lead.
Kelsey Rossow then walked and scored on
Gian Hill's triple to make the score 5-1.
Game 2 was a pitcher's dual between Coooper and USD starter Angela Palma. The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when
Abbie Friesen roped a bases loaded two-run double to right center field, scoring Villar and Rossow. Friesen and Hill each had two hits.
Augustana's next action will be this weekend at the Northwest Missouri State Invitational in Maryville, Mo.
