SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana softball fell in back-to-back conference games to Minnesota Duluth, 9-1 and 4-3, on Saturday morning at Bowden Field.
 
The Vikings drop to 25-9 overall and 7-3 in the NSIC while the Bulldogs improve to 25-11 and 5-3.
 
GAME ONE: Minnesota Duluth 9, No. 10 Augustana 1
The Bulldogs struck first and didn't look back in game one of doubleheader action.
 
UMD smashed a homer to left field to begin the scoring in the second inning, but it soon became a tie game. Stella Harber got on base after a single and was brought around off a double from Briana Lee to left center.
 
Augustana's scoring would end there as two RBI singles in the third, two two-run homeruns in the fourth and two more runs off a single in the fifth would solidify the Bulldog victory.
 
Liz Dierks, Ashton Dorman, Harber and Lee each tallied in a hit while Andrea Cain drew the lone walk. Sydney Herbert collected three assists and Ella Cooper added in six putouts. In the circle, Grace Glanzer (12-6) struck out four batters in her four innings of work as Helene Krage allowed just one hit.  
 
GAME TWO: Minnesota Duluth 4, No. 10 Augustana 3
Despite a slow start from both teams and an eventual lead for the home team, UMD rallied back in the sixth to defeat the Vikings in a hard-fought 4-3 battle.
 
Both Augustana and Minnesota Duluth were able to get runners in scoring position early on, but always fell just short.
 
That was until the fifth inning, when a sacrifice bunt and a fielder's choice advanced Lee to third base. Desi Cuevas then stole second and advanced to third on an error as Lee stole home.
 
Now ahead 1-0, Lexi Lander singled to center field and scored Cuevas. Back-to-back single shots to right field brought Lander home, firmly establishing a 3-0 lead.
 
The Bulldogs quickly responded, scoring all four runs in the following top half of the sixth inning. A walk and a fielder's choice put a Bulldog on second base when a single to right center scored one. With runners on first and third, a rocket to right field—with the help of a bounce off the top of the fence—went out of the park for a three-run homer and the 4-3 lead.
 
Augustana and UMD were each downed in order and the Vikings ended up with a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh, but the game would end 4-3.
 
Dorman went 2-for-3 at the plate while five other Vikings each logged a hit. Cuevas, Smart and Lee all tallied a stolen base and four walks were drawn in the affair. Lexi Lander (11-3) collected three strikeouts in her seven innings of work.
 
UP NEXT
Augustana will continue its home stretch with a Tuesday doubleheader against Sioux Falls, with action set to begin at 3 p.m. at Bowden Field.