Box Score
The Augustana softball team saw its season come to an end Sunday in Wayne, Neb., as the Vikings lost 2-1 to Wayne State at the Central Regional Championships. This marks the third time in a row that the Vikings have fallen to the Wildcats.
The Vikings (46-14) put themselves in scoring position early as
Jenny Brown hit a single up the middle in the first inning.
Elizabeth Murray reached on the fielder's choice and Brown advanced to second as the second baseman dropped the ball for an error. Augie was then unable to bring the runners home, ending the inning on a foul out and pop fly.
The Wildcats (43-12) did their damage in the third inning as Brittany Greenwood hit a long home run off of Augie pitcher
Ashley Meyer. A single by Amy Sandstrom caused the Vikings to put
Chelsey Durland in to pitch, but Kassie Nurton singled and both runners moved up an extra base on the throwing error by the pitcher. Sandstrom then scored on the ground out by Blaire Kuhl.
Wayne State also loaded up the bases in the fifth, but the Vikings were able to escape the inning without any more Wildcat runs.
Augie had a chance in the top of the seventh when
Brittany Coufal led the inning off with a single to left center.
Kelsey Kalkman then lined into a double play that ended up being huge for the Wildcats as Durland blasted one over the center field fence immediately after, making the score 2-1.
Britt Stewart struck out swinging, ending the game and the season for the Vikings.
Meyer (20-7) suffered the loss for the Vikings after going 2.1 innings and giving up two earned runs on four hits. Durland pitched 3.2 innings of relief and gave up no runs on five hits.
Wildcat pitcher Katie Goetzinger pitched all 7 innings for Wayne State, giving up four hits and striking out five batters.
“Our kids have nothing to hang their heads about,” head coach
Gretta Melsted said. “46 wins is nothing to sneeze at and I'm extremely proud of them. They've had a great season.”
The Vikings will lose just one senior from this year's team in center fielder
Kayla Henke.
“There are so many good things about Kayla that don't show up in the stats,” Melsted said of Henke. “She has been the heart and soul of this team and is a leader both on and off the field.”
Wayne State will now advance to the Super Regional Championships May 21-23.
