SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -The Concordia-St. Paul softball team (18-13, 4-2 NSIC) split their Monday doubleheader with Augustana (18-9, 5-1 NSIC), falling in game one 11-8 before defeating the Vikings 9-1 in six innings. 

The eight run margin of victory in the second game is the largest of any prior CSP victory over Augustana and the most in a Vikings loss this season.

GAME ONE: Augustana 11, Concordia 8
It was a rough first game for the Golden Bears, who's eight runs in the final three innings could not overtake Augie's early lead. 

The Vikings did a majority of their damage in the first two innings, picking up a run on a wild pitch in the first, before blowing things open in the second with two home runs, including a grand slam from first baseman Delaney Young.

The two inning scoring barrage ended the day for starting pitcher Bryanna Olson and Kristi Pliz came on in relief to start the third inning. After a scoreless first inning of work, the Vikings were able to get to Pilz in the fourth, scoring three more on a one run double by Young and a two RBI single from Augie second baseman Kennedy Buckman.

The Golden Bears got on the board in the fifth, scoring four runs to cut the deficit to six. After back-to-back singles to start the inning from Riley Rosenthal and Clara Heislen, Alexus Houston brought in Rosenthal with a double to right center. Morgan Medlo walked to load the bases, setting up Jacey Defries for a two-RBI single to score Heislen and Houston. A Syndey Pelzer single loaded the bases again and Avery Johnson was able to pick an RBI walk as Medlo came in to make the score 10-4. 

Defries came through again for CSP with the bases loaded in the sixth, hitting a two-run double to score Houston and Heislen again. Pelzer cut the lead to three with a sacrifice fly, bringing the deficit to 10-7. 

The Vikings added one more to their lead as Buckley was able to pick up her fourth RBI on the day with single Young. A seventh inning Danni Sharum solo home run would be the last CSP spark in the game as Augustana took the win 11-8.

GAME TWO: Concordia 9, Augustana 1 (Six Innings)
The Golden Bears rebounded in game two, with the offense putting up 11 hits and starting pitcher Erica McCullough going the distance while allowing just six hits and only one run while striking out three.

The Vikings took advantage of a first inning error by CSP to score first with what would turn out to be their only run of the game. Danni Sharum tied it back up in the top of the second, picking things up right where she left them in game one, knocking another solo home run down the left field line.
Concordia used the long ball again in the fourth inning as Avery Johnson got in on the action with a two-run home run to score Tori Turgeon and give the Golden Bears a 3-1 lead. Augie's best chance to score came in the bottom of the fifth with bases loaded, but McCullough was able to work out of a jam and forced a pop up to Pelzer to end the inning.

The Golden Bears passed the eight run margin threshold in the sixth inning as the offense started rolling. The first six CSP batters reached safely with Heislen and Grace Beseman hitting RBI doubles, and Houston bringing in Heislen on an RBI single. Sharum pushed the Bears lead to 9-1 with an RBI groundout to close out the scoring in the game.

McCullough (5-3) closed out the game in the sixth on eighth pitches, stranding a runner on base and giving Concordia the six inning run-ahead rule win.

UP NEXT
CSP softball is back in the Twin Cities tomorrow for their first home games of the season as they take on Sioux Falls at West St. Paul Dome with games at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.