SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana used a late-game surge in game one and dominant pitching and offense in game two to sweep the SMSU softball team, 7-4 and 10-2 in six innings, on Wednesday afternoon at Bowden Field.
SMSU is now 13-20 on the year and 4-6 in NSIC play. The Vikings move to 24-13 overall and 9-1 in conference play.
Augustana's Liz Dierks got the scoring started with a two-strike, two-out triple to center field that scored a pair of runs to put the Vikings up 2-0 after two innings of play.
SMSU threatened in the top of the third, putting runners on second and third with one out. Grace Glanzer stumped the effort by closing out the inning with a strikeout and assist on a groundout.
The Mustangs finally broke through in the top of the fourth inning when
Jillian Noel smashed her second home run of the season over the left-field fence, cutting the deficit to one run.
The Vikings countered with a two-out rally in the fifth inning. With two outs and no one on base, Torri Chute drove a deep ball over the left-center field fence to tack on an insurance run for AU. In the following at-bat, Gracey Brink swung on the first pitch and doubled to right field before Ashton Dorman drove her in on an RBI single to push the Augustana lead to three runs.
SMSU got back into the game with a big top half of the sixth inning.
Abby Russell drew a walk to get on base first for the Mustangs before being moved to third on a throwing error to first base. In a full count and with runners on the corners
Molly Bull smashed a ball over the left field fence to tie the game. It was Bull's first career home run.
AU again countered, driving in three runs in the bottom of the sixth on five hits. Glanzer retired the Mustangs in order in the seventh to seal the deal.
Morgyn Otte (6-8) was tabbed with the loss in game one, allowing seven earned runs on 12 hits and two walks in a complete game. Grace Glanzer (11-3) earned the win allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out three.
Molly Bull and
Jillian Noel led the Mustangs each tallying a hit while Bull drove in three runs and Noel plated one.
Augustana got things going right away in game two, striking twice in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs and no one on base Kennedy Buckman homered to left field to score the first run of the game. Torri Chute was hit by a pitch and moved to second before scoring on a single to center field, pushing the AU lead to 2-0.
The Vikings continued to pour it on in the second inning, adding five more runs on four hits. Back-to-back singles got AU started and a walk in the following at-bat loaded the bases. Torri Chute stepped up to the plate with two outs and launched the ball over the left field wall for a grand slam, pushing the lead to 6-0. Shortly after, Gracey Brink also used the crosswind to homer to left field and put AU up 7-0.
Augustana added two more runs in the third and closed it out in the sixth on a wild pitch to secure the run-rule win and sweep over the Mustangs.
Emma Humpal knocked her second home run of the season in the fifth inning to keep the Mustangs alive.
Karlie Miller (7-10) was given the loss in game two, allowing nine earned runs on 11 hits and four walks while striking out seven. Lexi Lander (7-5) earned the win, holding SMSU to just one hit and a walk with two strikeouts in four innings. Ella Cooper threw the final two innings in relief, giving up two earned runs on one hit and two walks.
SMSU returns to the field for its first home series of the season, hosting Minnesota Duluth (23-10, 4-4 NSIC) on Friday, April 5, with first pitch set for 1 p.m.
