Augustana University Athletics

BOX SCORE BOX SCORE

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Eighth-ranked Augustana softball (5-1) stranded 10 runners on base but scored four runs in the first three innings to earn a 5-2 win over the University of Nebraksa-Kearney (1-6) in the first game of the Kelly Laas Memorial Invite in St. Cloud, Minn. on Friday afternoon.
 
Augustana's Karlee Koopman entered the game in relief of Jenelle Trautmann in the bottom of the fifth inning and struck out five batters over the final three innings to earn the first save of her career. Trautmann earned the win in the circle, improving to 4-1 on the season, giving up four hits and two unearned runs while striking out one and walking one.  
 
The Vikings finished the game with seven hits, led by Carly Peterson, who finished 2 for 3 at the plate with an RBI. The Lopers finished with four hits as a team, with four players picking up one each.
 
Augustana grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by Spanton but was unable to build a larger lead, leaving the bases loaded. The Lopers answered to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second scoring two unearned runs.
 
Jordan Schaffer started a second inning rally for the Vikings leading off with a double to right center field. Augustana was able to load the bases after Caitlin Nichol was hit by a pitch and Mackenzie Alstott singled to load the bases. Sarah Kennedy then reached on an error to score Shaffer and tie the game at 2-2. The Vikings had the bases loaded with one out after the run scored, but failed to push across another run, leaving the bases full for the second straight inning.
 
For the second straight inning, Augustana got a leadoff double, this time by Peterson to start a two-run top of the third inning. After Peterson's double, Erin Kempf reached on an error and both Peterson and Kempf came around to score on a throwing error by Loper pitcher Bailey Backhuus giving Augustana a 4-2 lead.
 
Augustana and Nebraska-Kearney played two scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth innings. In both innings, the Lopers got two runners on base but Trautmann was able to pitch out of both jams. Koopman replaced Trautmann in the circle in the bottom of the fifth inning and set down the Lopers in order with two strikeouts.
 
The Vikings added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI single by Peterson that drove in Kennedy, who led off the inning with a single. Augustana left the bases loaded for the third time in the game but carried a 5-2 lead into the bottom half of the seventh.

UNK threatened in the bottom of the seventh, getting two runners on with two outs but Koopman forced a groundout to end the game and earn her first career save.  
 
Augustana continues action at the Huskydome Classic with a game against Northwest Missouri State at 12 p.m. on Saturday. The Vikings will then play two games on Sunday, beginning with No. 25 Emporia State at 11 a.m.