HOUSTON, Texas -- Competing in their third day of action at the Arkansas Tech Invite, the Augustana softball team split of a pair of games on Sunday in Houston. The Vikings started Sunday with a tough, 3-2, loss to Texas A&M Kingsville, but came back in game two for a 4-1 win over Cameron (OK) University. 

Moments that mattered:

Game one - Ashley Mickschl and Christina Pickett both picked up an RBI for the Vikings. 

Game two - Ashley Mickschl allowed just one run and struck out six in seven innings of work. Mary Pardo connected on a two run home run in the second inning. 

Game one recap:

The Vikings got off a solid start in the top of the first as Mary Pardo drew a walk and eventually advanced to third. However, the Vikings couldn't capitalize and ended the half inning scoreless. 

Amber Elliott got the game one start for Augustana, and although the sophomore picked up a first out, she ran in trouble from there. The Javelinas went on to pick up a pair of walks, a pair of hits and three runs in the top of the 1st inning.

The second inning was scoreless, but the Augustana offense came alive in the third. Amanda Dickmeyer got on base, and Ashley Mickschl brought her home with a double down the left field line.

With the Vikings trailing 3-1 in the 5th, junior Christina Pickett came up clutch. She crushed a double to left center, allowing Maggie Dunnett to come around and plate the Vikings second run. 

Olivia Wolters pitched the final five frames for the Vikings and was dominate. The junior allowed just two hits, struck out three, and didn't allow any runs. However, the Vikings bats couldn't connect for the game-tying and go-ahead runs.  

The Vikings went down in order in the 7th and final frame. 

Game two recap:

The final game for the Vikings on Sunday featured a matchup with Lone Star conference foe Cameron (OK) University.  

The Vikings picked up a hit in the 1st inning but really found their footing in the second frame. Dunnett singled to start in the inning, and following a stolen base and wild pitch, came into score on an RBI from Dickmeyer.

Moments later, Mary Pardo continued her strong start to the season with a two-run blast to center field. The Vikings had jumped out a 3-0 lead just two innings in. 

The Aggies plated a run in the 3rd, and heading into the 4th, the Vikings maintained a 3-1 lead. 
 
The story of Sunday's second game was the lights-out performance from starter Ashley Mickschl. The sophomore pitched a complete game, striking out six batters and allowing just one run in seven innings of work. Mickschl faced just 28 batters in the game. 

The Vikings added a run in the top of the 7th on a Shannon Petersen RBI, but the performance from Mickschl was enough for the Vikings to pick up their fourth win of the year. 

Augustana now remains in Texas for two more games on Monday. The Vikings will take on Texas A&M Commerce at 9 a.m., and finish the tournament vs. Arkansas Tech at 11:30 a.m. on Monday.