Softball 4/13/07 -- Augsburg 3-1, Bethel 2-6

GAME 1 BOXSCORE
GAME 2 BOXSCORE


MINNEAPOLIS (4/13/07) -- Sarah Green (So., Winnebago, Minn./Blue Earth Area HS) drove in Jacci Mattern (So., Lakeville, Minn.) with the game-winning run for Augsburg College on a suicide squeeze in the bottom of the seventh inning in the first game, and Molly Trombley (Jr., Stacy, Minn.) went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI in the second game for Bethel University, as the teams split a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference softball doubleheader on Friday afternoon at Augsburg's Edor Nelson Field.

Augsburg (3-19 overall, 2-4 MIAC) won the first game 3-2, while Bethel (12-11-1 overall, 2-6 MIAC) won the second game 6-1.

In the first game, Augsburg rallied from a 2-1 third-inning deficit, as Mattern scored the final two runs of the game, with both runs coming as a result of heads-up baserunning. In the fifth inning, Mattern singled and stole second, then advanced to third on a foul ball flyout. She then scored after Whitney Restemayer (Fr., Bemidji, Minn.) reached base on a fielding error.

In the seventh, Mattern led off with a double to right field, then advanced to third after an infield foul ball was caught by a diving third baseman Randiann Sather (Fr., Willmar, Minn.). Green then hit a bunt up the third-base line, enabling Mattern to score on the suicide squeeze.

Green also had a strong game as a pitcher for the Auggies, striking out seven while walking four and allowing seven hits in a complete-game effort to pick up the win. Both runs against her were unearned. Charitey Rowden (Fr., Shellsburg, Iowa) struck out four while walking one and allowing three hits for Bethel.

In addition to Mattern's 2-for-3 performance, Ashley Westerman (Jr., Bemidji, Minn.) went 2-for-2 for the Auggies, including a double. Trombley went 2-for-3 for Bethel, while Hannah Subich (Sr., Mansfield, Ohio) went 2-for-2 with a run scored.

Bethel opened the game with two runs in the third inning, as a run scored on a throwing error, and an RBI single by Trombely plated Subich. Augsburg scored a run in the third, as Gundersen singled, then stole third and scored on a throwing error.

In the second game, Bethel scored two runs in the first inning and three runs in the third inning to pull away from the Auggies. In addition to Trombley's 3-for-4 effort, Lauren Habisch (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.) and Karina Roe (So., Grey Eagle, Minn.) had two hits apiece.

Restemayer nearly completed a cycle for the Auggies, with a triple, double and single in going 3-for-4 with a run scored. Westeman went 2-for-2 with a double.

A fielding error plated the first run of the game for the Royals, and a single by Habisch drove in the other. In the third, a two-run double by Trombley and an RBI single by Amber Beasley (So., Medina, Minn.) accounted for the Royals' runs. Another run came across in the seventh, as Christi Paulson (Sr., Young America, Minn.) scored on a wild pitch.

Augsburg scored its lone run in the first inning, as Restemayer led off with a triple and scored on a double by Westerman.

Nea Harkness (Fr., Winthrop, Minn.) struck out four while walking two and allowing seven hits in a complete-game effort to score the second-game win for the Royals. Kati Tweeten (Sr., Spring Grove, Minn.) took the loss for the Auggies, pitching 2.2 innings. Green struck out three in 4.1 innings of relief.

Both teams are in action with home MIAC doubleheaders on Saturday (4/14) at 1 p.m. Augsburg hosts St. Thomas, while Bethel hosts St. Benedict.