ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Augustana University softball was on both ends of a shutout on Saturday at the Apple Market Classic hosted by Missouri Western State. The Vikings lost the opener 3-0 to Pittsburg State (20-6) before picking up a 2-0 win over Missouri Southern State University (14-19) to earn a split on the day and improve to 11-9 on the season.
 
Game one
Pittsburg State's Emmie Robertson (13-2) held Augustana to just one hit and struck out six batters to lead her team pas the Vikings on Saturday afternoon.
 
Shannon Petersen accounted for Augustana's only hit in the game, getting a one-out single in the top of the second inning.
 
Pittsburg State jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning plating the game's first run on a wild pitch.
 
The Vikings put together a threat in the top of the third getting the leadoff batter on when Kaylea Schorr was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Schorr would end up being stranded on third base.
 
The Gorillas added two runs on two hits and an Augustana error in the bottom of the fourth to push the lead to 3-0 after getting two straight singles to start the inning.
 
Robertson was able to keep the Vikings off the bases for three straight innings as the Gorillas would go on to take the game 3-0.
 
Game two
Carley Pickett (6-4) turned in a strong performance in the circle, picking up the complete-game victory holding Missouri Southern scoreless while allowing five hits and striking out three batters.
 
Carly Peterson picked up two of Augustana's four hits in the game going 2 for 4 with two runs scored.
 
Augustana jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Shannon Petersen drove Peterson in on a groundout to second base. Peterson led off the game with a single to right field.
 
The Lions put together a threat in the bottom of the third inning, loading the bases, before Pickett was able to get the third out on a groundout to end the inning.
 
Peterson sparked the Vikings again in the fifth inning getting a one-out single before coming around to score when Maggie Kadrlik reached on an error to give her team a 2-0 lead.
 
The Vikings bounced into three double plays against Missouri Southern, including one in the sixth inning. Augustana left two runners on in the sixth but Pickett was able to shut the door on the Lions to help the Vikings earn a split on the day.
 
Augustana will close-out the six-game trip to Missouri with a pair of games on Sunday. The Vikings are set to take on Northwest Missouri State at 9 a.m. and tournament-host Missouri Western at 1 p.m.