SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Golden Bears softball team (12-10, 6-2 NSIC) had their six-game winning streak snapped by #1 Augustana (19-3, 7-1 NSIC). The Vikings swept the Golden Bears during a Saturday afternoon doubleheader. The Vikings took the first game 8-0 in five innings and then won the second game 2-0 in a closer battle.
The Golden will finish out the road trips with a doubleheader against Wayne State (3-18, 0-9 NSIC) in Wayne Nebraska, tomorrow afternoon starting at 12 p.m. The Golden Bears will then return home for a weekend matchup with Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State.
Concordia was held to just four hits and no runs in both games of the doubleheader.
Bryanna Olson was very impressive in game two as she allowed only two runs on four hits against the #1 Vikings.
GAME ONE: Concordia-St. Paul 0, Augustana 8 (5 innings)
The Vikings struck fast and early as they hung three runs in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead. Mary Prado singled up the middle followed by a Kendall Cornick single down the left field line, advancing Prado to second base. Ashley Mickschl laid down a bunt single, yo load the bases up. Torri Chute then singled to left field, scoring Prado and advancing the runners up a base to keep them loaded. Abby Lein singled to left field, scoring Cornick and making it 2-0 Vikings. Delaney Young reached on a fielder's choice and Mickschl scored to make it 3-0 Augustana.
In the bottom of the second inning, Abbie Lund led off with a walk, then she stole second base. Kendall Cornick doubled to left field, scoring Lund and making it 4-0 Vikings. In the top of the third inning the Vikings led off the inning with a solo shot by Torri Chute, Abby Lein then doubled to right field, Delaney Young fouled out to
Meagan Bliese which allowed Lein to advance to third. Lein then scored on a wild pitch to make it 6-0 Augustana. After another walk and then a single, Mary Prado singled down the left field line, scoring Gracey Brink and making it a 7-0 ball game in the third inning.
The Vikings would add one more run in the bottom of the fifth inning which would end the game because of the eight-run rule. After a quick out on a strikeout, Abbie Lund singled but was thrown out by
Amanda Parsons trying to steal second for the second out. Mary Prado took it into her own hands and hit a solo shot to win the game for the Vikings 8-0.
Kali Kaestner earned the loss, she went one inning, allowing four runs on five hits and struck out one batter, she is now 5-3 on the season.
Aryka Knoche went 3.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits and struck out two batters.
The Golden Bear offense picked up only two hits off of Ashley Mickschl.
Aryka Knoche went 1-2 and
Hanna Mortenson went 1-3. Mickschl is now 9-2 on the season.
GAME TWO: Concordia-St. Paul 0, Augustana 2
Game two was a closer matchup as pitching was on full display for both squads. The Vikings were able to strike early again. Mary Prado, who ended game one with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, picked up right where she left off with a solo shot to lead off the game and give Augustana a 1-0 lead. The Vikings put two runners in scoring position looking to tack on a few more in the bottom of the first, but
Bryanna Olson was able to get Delaney Young to pop out to end the inning.
After five straight scoreless innings by both pitchers, the Vikings were able to get an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. After
Bryanna Olson got Ashley Mickschl on a ground out, Torii Chute rocked a solo home run to center field to make it 2-0 Vikings.
Olson was able to get the next two batters and the Golden Bear offense looked to spark a rally in the seventh. Amber Elliot struck out Heislen looking, got McIntyre swinging and was able to get Beseman on a groundout back to herself. She sealed the shutout victory and moved to 10-1 on the season.
Bryanna Olson went step for step with Elliot and was able to keep the Golden Bears in the entire game. She went six innings, allowing only two runs on four hits and struck out five Vikings in the loss. She is now 5-5 on the season.
CSP was once again held to only two hits during game two.
Clara Heislen went 1-3, and
Hannah Mihalik went 1-2 in the loss.
