GAME 1 BOX  |  GAME 2 BOX

MINNEAPOLIS -- Laura Strandell (SR, Pine Island, Minn.) extended her career-best consecutive-game hitting streak to 11 with a single in the first game, but the Augsburg College softball team dropped a doubleheader to the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Tuesday afternoon at Edor Nelson Field.

Augsburg (13-9 overall, 2-2 MIAC) saw its 10-game winning streak snapped by defending MIAC champion St. Thomas (20-4 overall, 6-0 MIAC), falling 9-0 in the first game and 11-0 in the second game. Both games were ended after five innings due to the NCAA's eight-run rule.

Four different Augsburg batters recorded hits in the first game, including Strandell, Jennifer Castillo (SR, Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn HS) Jessa Hinz (SR, Richfield, Minn.) and Shayna Crandall (FY, Brooklyn Park, Minn./Osseo HS). 

The Auggies threatened in the bottom of the fifth inning behind a leadoff single from Hinz and a walk to centerfilelder Bri Dorale (SO, Ramsey, Minn./Anoka HS). After Castillo was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Augsburg catcher Brittney Bruzek (SR, Alexandria, Minn./Jefferson HS) came within inches of her first career grand slam as her towering fly ball over the left-field fence was ruled foul. St. Thomas pitcher Biz Stizmann (SR, Appleton, Wis./North) was able to coax a groundball to shortstop to end the Augsburg threat.   

In the second game, St. Thomas jumped on the board early, scoring three runs each in the first and second innings, while adding four more in the third. 

Stephanie Saxe (JR, Stacy, Minn./North Branch HS) recorded a base hit in the bottom of the third inning for Augsburg in the second game.

For St. Thomas, Erica Wilson (SR, Rochester, Minn./Century) went 4-for-5 and scored six runs, while teammate Becky Eischens (SR, Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins) went 3-for-7 with six RBI to lead the Tommie offensive attack.

Augsburg returns to action Thursday (4/7) at 4 p.m, hosting St. Benedict at Edor Nelson Field.