GAME 1 BOX | GAME 2 BOX
MINNEAPOLIS --
Amanda Schwartz (FY, Becker, Minn.) delivered the game-winning hit for the Augsburg College softball team with a two-run double in the bottom of the seventh inning of the first game, as the Auggies split their season-ending Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader with Bethel University on Saturday afternoon at Edor Nelson Field.
Augsburg (12-28 overall, 10-12 MIAC) won the first game 5-4, while Bethel (22-16 overall, 13-7 MIAC) won the second game 4-3 in eight innings. The second-game win clinched an MIAC postseason playoff berth for the Royals.
Augsburg rallied three times from deficits in the first game to claim victory. After the Royals took a 2-0 lead in the third inning on a two-run double by Amber Beasley, the Auggies tied the game in the fourth with a bases-loaded walk and a run scored on a wild pitch.
Bethel again took the lead in the fifth, but Augsburg tied the game in the bottom of the inning following a throwing error on a bunt. Bethel's Lauren Habisch homered in the sixth inning to give the Royals the lead, but the Auggies rallied in the bottom of the seventh.
Jennifer Castillo (SO, Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn HS) hit a one-out triple to right-center, and
Cassie Crego (FY, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North HS) reached base on a fielder's choice bunt, advancing to second. Schwartz then hit a double to the right-center gap to give the Auggies the win.
Sarah Green (SR, Winnebago, Minn./Blue Earth Area HS) started and had a strikeout in 5.1 innings of work, with
Melissa Larsen (JR, Andover, Minn.) gaining the win with 1.2 innings of scoreless, hitless relief.
In the second game, the Royals built a 3-0 lead after three innings, with home runs by Ashley Johnsen and Kelly Berg. Berg ended up 3-for-3 with two runs scored to lead the Royals in the second game.
Augsburg tied the game with a three-run fifth inning, as two runs came across on a two-error defensive play, and another run came across on a steal with a throwing error. But Bethel took the lead in the top of the eighth, as Berg doubled, stole third and came across on a single by Lynnae Thompson.
Nea Harkness pitched a complete-game victory for the Royals, striking out four. Augsburg used three pitchers, with Larsen striking out one and Schwartz striking out two.