SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana softball put together a late-game rally in the opener and competed throughout the nightcap, ultimately coming up short in both games of Sunday's doubleheader against Sioux Falls at Sanford Diamonds.

Sioux Falls 9, Augustana 8
The Vikings' offense erupted late but couldn't hold off a seventh-inning rally as Sioux Falls walked off with a 9-8 win in game one.

Sioux Falls struck quickly with a two-run home run in the first inning and added another two-run shot in the third to build a 4-0 lead. The Cougars extended the advantage to 5-0 in the fourth on an RBI single.

Augustana answered in the fifth as Desi Cuevas delivered an RBI single to score Andrea Cain, cutting the deficit to 5-1.

The Vikings then exploded in the sixth inning, plating seven runs on seven hits. Sidney Smart and Stella Harber opened the frame with back-to-back doubles and Norah Christiansen followed with an RBI single. Susie Tollefson added an RBI knock before Cain launched a two-run home run to right field, giving Augustana a 6-5 lead.

Kierra Lubovich capped the inning with a two-run home run to push the Vikings ahead 8-5.

Sioux Falls responded in the bottom of the seventh. A series of hits and defensive miscues allowed the Cougars to score four runs, ending the game with a walk-off two-RBI single.

Cuevas led the Vikings with four hits while Cain drove in three runs and scored twice. Lubovich added two RBI on her sixth-inning home run.

Sioux Falls 6, Augustana 4
Augustana rallied late but couldn't overcome an early deficit in a 6-4 loss in the second game.

After a scoreless start, Sioux Falls broke through with three runs in the second inning and added three more in the fifth to build a 6-2 lead.

The Vikings got on the board in the fourth inning when Smart and Harber delivered back-to-back solo home runs to trim the deficit to one.

Trailing 6-2 entering the seventh, Augustana made one final push. Harber led off with a single and later scored and Cuevas followed with an RBI double to bring the Vikings within 6-4.

The comeback attempt stalled there as Sioux Falls closed out the sweep.

Cuevas paced Augustana with two hits and an RBI while Smart and Harber each homered in the effort.

Up Next
Augustana returns home as it faces Northwest Missouri State in non-conference play. The Tuesday double header is set for 12/2 p.m.