SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana extended its winning streak to 11 games with a doubleheader sweep over Minnesota Crookston on Sunday afternoon at Bowden Field. The Vikings defeated the Golden Eagles 7-3 in game one before scoring eight runs in the bottom of the sixth to earn an 8-0 run-rule win in game two.
 
Augustana is now 28-11 on the season and sits all alone in first place of the NSIC standings with a record of 15-2 in conference play. Minnesota Crookston is now 7-29 on the year, 1-15 in NSIC action.
 
Game one
Kaylea Schorr's grand slam in the bottom of the fourth broke a scoreless tie as the Vikings went on to defeat Minnesota Crookston 7-3 in game one on Sunday.
 
Schorr finished the game 2 for 3 with four RBI and two runs scored. Maggie Kadrlik added two hits in the opener finishing 2 for 3 with a pair of singles and a run scored. Sarah Kennedy was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBI and Maddie Merriam was 1 for 2 with a double and an RBI.
 
Carley Pickett struck out six to and held the Golden Eagles to just three hits while not allowing a run.
 
After three scoreless innings, Augustana was able to put up four runs on four this in the bottom of the fourth. The Vikings put together a two-out rally and Schorr delivered on the first pitch she saw with two outs and the bases loaded for her third home run of the season, a grand slam that opened up a 4-0 lead for Augustana.
 
Kennedy added to the lead with a two-run home run in the fifth, her sixth home run of the season, that put Augustana in front 6-0. The Vikings extended their lead to 7-0 in the sixth getting an RBI double from Merriam that drove in Schorr who reached on a single to lead off the inning.
 
Minnesota Crookston pushed across three unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh but Maggie Dunnett, who pitched the sixth and seventh innings for the Vikings, was able to get out of the jam to give the Vikings a win in game one.
 
Game two
Augustana scored all eight runs in the bottom of the sixth to earn an 8-0 run-rule victory over the Golden Eagles in the nightcap.
 
Karlee Koopman earned the shutout win for the Vikings in the circle to improve to 10-5 on the season. Koopman allowed just two hits and struck out four batters in the victory.
 
Augustana finished the game with eight hits, getting two from Carly Peterson who finished 2 for 3 with a pair of singles and a run scored.
 
Peterson led off the bottom of the first with a single for the Vikings but Augustana would not get another base runner until the bottom of the sixth.
 
Kylie Rome started off the sixth with a pinch-hit walk and Abby Chandler and Carly Peterson both followed with bunt singles to load the bases. Carley Pickett jumped on the first pitch she saw and sent it back up the middle to drive in a pair and give Augustana a 2-0 lead.
 
Kennedy singled to load the bases back up and Maggie Kadrlik drew a four-pitch walk to give Augustana a 3-0 lead. Shannon Petersen then reached on a fielding error and the Vikings were able to score two runs on the play to go in front 5-0.
 
Schorr then beat out an infield single to make it 6-0 and Merriam extended it to 7-0 with a single through the left side of the infield. Morgan Beaner then singled down the right field line to score the eighth run of the game and give the Vikings an 8-0 win by run rule.
 
Augustana will return to action Tuesday, April 12, hosting Southwest Minnesota State at 3 p.m. at Bowden Field.