SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Southwest Minnesota State softball team (16-27 overall, 11-13 NSIC) took down the Augustana Vikings (33-12, 20-4) 2-1 in the first game of a doubleheader before falling 2-0 in game two to split on Wednesday afternoon at Bowden Field.
 
It was the first SMSU victory over Augie since 2015, and just the second since 2009. It was also just the third Mustang road victory in series history, and first since 2007. 
 
Shelby Bloemendaal (3-7) was in control in the circle, allowing an earned run on six hits and two walks while striking out one. She flustered the Viking bats all game, forcing 13 groundouts that included a pair of double plays turned by Jillian Noel. 
 
In the bottom of the third inning, Augustana scored first, singling with one out before a double scored the runner and gave them a 1-0 lead. 
 
Abby Russell opened the top of the fourth inning with a base hit to right field to begin the SMSU rally. Two batters later, Molly Bull hit a line drive to the right center gap, getting all the way to the fence to score Russell and tie the game at 1-1.
 
The deciding run came two batters later as Paige Ahrendt squibbed a 2-2 pitch to the second baseman, running hard down the line and beating out an infield single to score Bull. 
 
Bloemendaal followed suit in the circle, retiring nine of the next 10 Vikings to bring the game to the seventh inning. 
 
Augustana threatened in their final at bats, stringing back-to-back hits together with one out before battling to a full count, but a ground ball to Noel allowed her to step on third before throwing across the diamond to close out the victory. 
 
SMSU collected six hits in game one, as Abby Russell led the offense with two hits and a walk. 
 
In game two, the Vikings scored a run in the fourth via home run and another in the fifth off a sac fly to secure the split. 
 
Lexi Lander of Augustana was nearly perfect in game two, allowing just a hit to Kramolisch in the sixth and allowing a baserunner on an error while striking out four to earn her 14^th win of the season. 
 
Karlie Miller (6-10) competed in the circle, allowing just two earned runs on six hits and four walks in a tough-luck loss. 
 
SMSU returns to play Thursday morning, taking on Sioux Falls at the Sanford Sports Complex for a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m.