GAME 1 BOX | GAME 2 BOX

MINNEAPOLIS -- Laura Strandell (SR, Pine Island, Minn.) reached base four times and hit a go-ahead, three-run home run to lead the Augsburg College softball team to a split of a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader with the College of St. Benedict on Thursday afternoon at Edor Nelson Field.

Augsburg (14-10 overall, 3-3 MIAC) dropped the first game 4-2 to St. Benedict (6-12 overall, 2-2 MIAC), before claiming a 5-2 victory in the second game.

Strandell went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three runs batted in on the day, while her third home run of the season capped a four-run third inning that put the Auggies ahead for good in the second game.  Strandell has a team-high 15 RBI for the Auggies this season.

Shortstop Jessa Hinz (SR, Richfield, Minn.) went 3-for-7 with two runs scored, and recorded a stolen base in the doubleheader, while teammate Stephanie Saxe (JR, Stacy, Minn./North Branch HS) added two hits and one RBI for the Auggies.

Emily Smith (FY, Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo HS), Bri Dorale (SO, Ramsey, Minn./Anoka HS), Jennifer Castillo (SR, Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn HS) and Kylee Persing (JR, Mound, Minn./Mound-Westonka HS) had a hit each in the doubleheader.            

The Auggies also received a strong pitching performance from Persing in the second game. After allowing two runs to the Blazers in the top of the first inning, Persing did not allow another run over the next six innings en route to her 11th win of the season.

Shayna Crandall (FY, Brooklyn Park, Minn./Osseo HS) started the first game for Augsburg. Crandell struck out five and only allowed two earned runs in five innings of work, but saw her record fall to 3-2 on the year. Four Augsburg errors contributed to two unearned runs in the game one loss.

For St. Benedict, first-game starter Rachel Nelson (FY, Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes) pitched a complete-game five-hitter for the Blazers to earn her fourth victory of the season. Outfielder Abby Richardson (SR, Storm Lake, Iowa/St. Mary's) recorded three hits in the doubleheader, while teammate Devin Bowlin (SR, Winona, Minn./Cotter) added two hits and two RBI's for St. Benedict.

The Auggies return to action this Saturday (4/9) with a doubleheader at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn.. The first game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.