Softball 4/5/02 -- Gustavus Adolphus 5-4, Augsburg 4-1

GAME 1 BOXSCORE
GAME 2 BOXSCORE

MINNEAPOLIS (4/5/02) -- Ingrid Olson (So., White Bear Lake, Minn.) hit a three-run home run in the first game, and pitcher Katie Berquam (So., Kenyon, Minn./Kenyon-Wanamingo HS) struck out 13 batters in the second game, lifting Gustavus Adolphus College to a doubleheader sweep of Augsburg College in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference softball action on Friday afternoon at Edor Nelson Field.

Gustavus improves to 7-7 overall and 2-0 in MIAC play with the wins, while Augsburg drops to 4-8-1 overall and 0-2 in the MIAC with the loss. The games were played indoors in the air-supported dome that is placed over Edor Nelson Field in the winter months.

In the first game, Olson's homer to left field put the Gusties on top early, and the Gusties held the Auggies in check until the fourth inning, when Augsburg scored four runs. Melissa Lee (So., Cannon Falls, Minn./Randolph HS) hit a sacrifice fly to drive in a run, runs came across on a fielder's choice and error, and the Auggies' final run came across on a single by Kristen Lideen (So., Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park HS).

But the Gusties scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to clinch the win. A double by Julie Langenfeld (So., Rosemount, Minn.) brought in a run in the sixth, and Molly Biehn (So., Mankato, Minn.) plated Olson on a groundout in the seventh, after Olson had advanced to third as the result of a throwing error.

Christine Matthews (Fr., Robbinsdale, Minn./Cooper HS) led the Auggies with a 2-for-4 performance, scoring a run. Jennie LaManna (Sr., South St. Paul, Minn.) also went 2-for 4. Olson went 3-for-3 to lead the Gusties.

Biehn struck out five Auggies in picking up the complete-game pitching victory in the first game, while Rachael Ekholm (Sr., Richfield, Minn.) took the loss for the Auggies, striking out five while walking four. Three of the five runs were earned against Ekholm. Augsburg committed four errors to Gustavus' two in the first game.

Berquam dominated the second game with her 13-strikeout performance, coupled with just three walks. She had a stretch of seven straight strikeouts early in the game. Augsburg was limited to just two hits, both by Ekholm -- a fourth-inning double and a sixth-inning single.

The Auggies scored their lone run in the first, when Lideen reached on a leadoff error and scored on a passed ball. Gustavus tied the game in the fourth, when Langenfeld siingled to drive in Jenny Ebanks (So., Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park HS).

The big blow came in the sixth, when Auggie starter Becky Peters (So., Portage, Wis.) worked the bases loaded, and after Ekholm relieved Peters, Sara Medved (So., Shoreview, Minn.) broke the tie with a run-scoring sacrifice fly. A two-run double from Claire Mielke (So., Mounds Park, Minn.) clinched the margin of victory.

Christina Diller (Jr., Menomonie, Wis.) went 3-for-4 to lead the Gusties in the second game.

Peters threw 5.1 innings for Augsburg, striking out one. Ekholm finished the sixth inning, with Mindy Evers (Sr., Comfrey, Minn.) finishing the game for the Auggies.

Augsburg returns to MIAC action on Sunday (4/7), hosting Hamline at 12 noon indoors at Edor Nelson Field. The game was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday at Hamline, but winter conditions will force the game to move sites and be played indoors. Gustavus is scheduled to return to action on Saturday (4/6), playing at Macalester at 1 p.m. The Gusties are scheduled to play at Buena Vista (Iowa) in a nonconference doubleheader Sunday at 1 p.m.