MANKATO, Minn. – No. 7 seed Augustana University softball fought-off elimination in the Central Region 2 Tournament for the second straight game using a four-run bottom of the fourth inning to earn a 4-0 win over No. 3 seed Central Oklahoma (48-11).
 
With the win, Augustana advances to the Central Region 2 Tournament Championship game and will play No. 2 seed and host Minnesota State, Mankato at 11 a.m. Saturday.
 
Augustana improved to 40-15 on the season, marking the 19th season in program history with 40-plus wins, including the sixth under the direction of 11th-year head coach Gretta Melsted.
 
Lexy Pederson and Olivia Wolters combined for the shutout win for the Vikings holding the Bronchos scoreless on four this. Pederson started the game and allowed just three hits in five innings of work to earn her 20th win of the year. Wolters allowed just one hit over two innings with one strikeout.
 
Sarah Kennedy tied the NCAA Division II single season record with her 31st double of the season in the win. Kennedy tied the record set by West Virginia State's Brittany Hyatt who hit 31 doubles in 2012. The NCAA record for doubles in a single season is held by Kim Sears of Wheaton (Ma.) (Division III) who hit 33 in 1998. 
 
Kaylea Schorr was 2 for 4 at the plate with a pair of singles while Maggie Dunnett was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI. Kara McDougall finished 2 for 3 with an RBI at the plate as well for the Vikings.  
 
Dunnett picked up a one out single in the top of the third inning and the Vikings put together a threat when Kaylea Schorr singled down the right field line with two outs to put runners on the corners with two outs to bring Kennedy to the plate. Kennedy bounced out to the pitcher on the first pitch she saw and Peyton Walker worked herself out of the jam to keep the game scoreless.
 
The Vikings and Bronchos were locked into a pitcher's duel through the first three innings before the Viking offense used some small ball to break the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth.
 
Augustana strung together six hits in the top of the fourth inning, including five straight singles, to open up a 4-0 lead. Christina Pickett and Shannon Petersen started the inning with back-to-back singles and Kylie Rome made it three straight with a sharp single past a diving shortstop to drive in the game's first run.
 
Abby Chandler loaded the bases with an infield single and Kara McDougall did the same, driving in a run with an infield single, putting Augustana in front 2-0. Dunnett stepped to the plate and lined a double off the fence in center field to drive in a pair and put the Vikings up 4-0. McDougall was thrown out at home on the play and Dunnett advanced to third on the throw. Samantha Eisenreich and Schorr both flew out to left to end the inning but the Vikings benefitted from a big inning to grab a four-run lead.
 
Central Oklahoma put runners on in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings but the Viking pitching staff and defense kept coming up big to hold the Bronchos off the scoreboard.
 
Wolters entered the game in the bottom of the sixth and surrendered a two-out single but got out of the inning without any damage before setting UCO down in order in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win for the Vikings.
 
Augustana will play Minnesota State, Makato in the Central Region 2 Tournament Championship game at 11 a.m. in Mankato. The Vikings will have to win twice to advance to the NCAA Central Super Regional.