GAME 1 BOX | GAME 2 BOX

MINNEAPOLIS -- #C.J. Rice# (SO, Dayton, Minn./Elk River HS) went 3-for-4 in the second game with a double, driving in two runs, including the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Augsburg College claimed a split of a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference softball doubleheader with Gustavus Adolphus College on Tuesday evening at Edor Nelson Field.

Gustavus (19-7 overall, 12-2 MIAC) won the first game 3-2 in nine innings, while Augsburg (19-15 overall, 9-7 MIAC) won the second game 4-3, snapping Gustavus' 10-game winning streak in the process.

Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh of the inning in the second game, Brittney Bruzek (JR, Alexandria, Minn./Jefferson HS) delivered a two-out RBI single to tie the game, and Rice followed with the game-winning hit to center field, bringing home pinch-runner Marissa Lurken (FY, Kenyon, Minn./Kenyon-Wanamingo HS).

The Auggies began their comeback from a 3-0 deficit in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Stephanie Saxe (SO, Stacy, Minn./North Branch HS) singled to bring home a run. With two outs in the sixth inning, Laura Strandell (JR, Pine Island, Minn.) walked, and Rice hit a double down the right-field line to drive home Strandell.

Augsburg pitcher Kylee Persing (SO, Mound, Minn./Mound-Westonka HS) threw a complete-game victory in the second game, striking out five while walking one and allowing two earned runs. Meanwhile, Gustie pitcher Callie Nelsen (SR, Willmar, Minn.) struck out three in a complete-game effort.

The Gusties scored twice in the first inning, as Emily Wendorff (JR, Prior Lake, Minn./Lakeville South HS) drove in a run on a single, and another run came across following a fielding error. In the third inning, as Wendorff singled to bring home another run. Wendorff went 3-for-3 in the second game.

The first game proved to be a pitchers' duel between Gustavus' Betsie Collins (SR, Waseca, Minn.) and Augsburg's Melissa Larsen (SR, Andover, Minn.). Collins struck out a season-high 13 Auggies in her nine innings of work to score the win, while walking five. Larsen struck out three while walking four in 8.2 innings.

The Gusties took the early lead, as Lisa Klass (SO, Richfield, Minn.) led off the game with a walk and and scored on a groundout. In the fifth inning, the Gusties took a 2-0 lead, as Andrea Brown (SR, Willmar, Minn.) doubled and scored on a single by Dani Cattrysse (JR, Mankato, Minn./West HS).

The Auggies tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, with a run coming home on an illegal pitch, and another run scoring on an RBI single by Rice.

The game remained scoreless until the top of the ninth inning, as Jenna Johnson (SR, Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) singled to lead off the inning, and her pinch-runner, Jena Ulmen (FY, Hokah, Minn./Houston HS) scored on a two-out, RBI single by Cattrysse.

Both teams return to MIAC play on Thursday (4/22) at 4 p.m., as Augsburg hosts Hamline and Gustavus plays at St. Mary's.