Box Score 1
Box Score 2
The Augustana softball team recorded a five-run seventh inning to earn a 9-6 comeback victory over Minnesota-Duluth Monday in Duluth, Minn. The Vikings then fell 10-1 in five innings in the second half of the doubleheader.
Augie is now 22-20 overall and 13-4 in the NSIC. The Bulldogs post an 18-20 overall record and remain .500 in conference play with a 9-9 record.
Duluth took the lead immediately scoring one run in the first inning. Casey Moore doubled to left center and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. A single by Myriam Trepanier scored Moore.
Augie tied the game in the third inning when
Kayla Henke doubled to right center. A double to left center by
Erika Wolner plated Henke, but the Vikings would leave Wolner stranded.
Both teams produced strong offense in the fourth inning.
Traci Fransen reached on an error by the shortstop before a
Britt Stewart single advanced her to second.
Erin Bohlmann advanced both runners on a sacrifice bunt. Fransen then scored on a pass ball and a double by
Elizabeth Murray scored Stewart. A single by
Kelsey Kalkman plated Murray and put the Vikings up 4-1.
The Bulldogs answered with three runs of their own. Whitney Olson was walked and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Mandy Matula singled to right center, advancing Olson to third. Sakala homered to right center, tying the score at 4-4.
Duluth would keep the offense going in the sixth as Sakala singled through the left side. A double by Johnson scored Sakala before a single by Moore advanced Sakala to third. A single by Trepanier plated Sakala and gave the Bulldogs the 6-4 lead.
Henke led the Viking seventh off with a single before Wolner reached on a fielder's choice.
Ally Rutherford singled to right center, advancing Wolner to third. Rutherford then stole second and Fransen was walked. Stewart singled, bringing home Wolner. A double by Murray scored Fransen and Rutherford before a double by Kalkman plated Murray and Stewart.
The Bulldogs were unable to generate any offense in the seventh, giving the Vikings the 9-6 victory.
Murray was two for three for the Vikings, scoring twice and recording three RBI. Stewart was also two for three, scoring twice and recording one RBI.
Stewart earned the win going four innings and allowing two earned runs on five hits after facing 17 batters.
Augie wasn't as successful in the second game. Duluth scored two runs in the first inning after Johnson was hit by a pitch and a Moore homer brought her home.
They scored two more runs in the third thanks to back to back homers by Moore and Trepanier.
Augie scored its one and only run in the fourth inning when Fransen singled to right field and a double by Stewart advanced her to third. A single by Murray scored Fransen.
Duluth would score one more run in the fourth and five runs in the fifth inning to end the game early and defeat the Vikings 10-1.
Fransen was two for two and scored the only run for the Vikings. Stewart suffered the loss for the Vikings pitching 2.2 innings and allowing four earned runs on four hits.
Augustana will play the Minnesota State Mavericks on Wednesday in Mankato, Minn.
