SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana split its NSIC doubleheader with Minnesota Duluth on Saturday at Bowden Field, rolling to a 10-1 win in the opener before falling 6-5 in a nine-inning battle in game two.

Augustana 10, Minnesota Duluth 1 (6 inn.)
Desi Cuevas and Claire Wynja each collected three hits while Norah Christiansen drove in three runs, including a home run, to lead Augustana to a dominant win in game one. Jaelyn Garcia (3-4) was strong in the circle, allowing just one run on four hits across six innings.

After a quiet first two innings, the Vikings broke through in the third. Cuevas singled to start the rally before Wynja doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Kierra Lubovich brought in the first run on a fielder's choice and Sidney Smart followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.

Augustana added on in the fifth as Cuevas and Wynja again sparked the offense. Smart delivered a two-run single up the middle to extend the lead to 4-0.

The Vikings blew the game open in the sixth inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues. Cuevas singled in a run before Lubovich doubled home two more. With two runners aboard, Christiansen launched a three-run homer down the left field line to push the lead to 10-1 and seal the run-rule victory.

Minnesota Duluth 6, Augustana 5 (9 inn.)
Augustana jumped out early but couldn't hold off a late surge as Minnesota Duluth walked it off in the ninth inning of game two.

The Vikings came out swinging in the first inning, plating four runs on four hits. Andrea Cain and Desi Cuevas opened the game with singles before a Minnesota Duluth error brought in the first run. Norah Christiansen followed with an RBI single and Stella Harber delivered a two-run single to give Augustana a 4-0 lead.

Minnesota Duluth chipped away, getting on the board with a solo home run in the third inning before mounting a three-run sixth inning to tie the game at 4-4.

Augustana regained the lead in the eighth inning when Lubovich doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Christiansen to make it 5-4.

The Bulldogs answered in the bottom half, tying the game on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch.

After a scoreless top of the ninth, Minnesota Duluth completed the comeback with a walk-off RBI single to secure the 6-5 win.

Up Next
Augustana continues NSIC play with its next conference series against MSU Moorhead.