Softball 4/20/08 -- St. Olaf 15-2, Augsburg 4-4 (1st game 5 inn.)
CLICK HERE FOR GAME 1 BOXSCORE
CLICK HERE FOR GAME 2 BOXSCORE
CLICK HERE FOR AUGSBURG SEASON STATISTICS
NORTHFIELD, Minn. (4/20/08) -- Sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring four runs in the top of the seventh inning, the Augsburg College softball team salvaged a sweep of a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader at St. Olaf College on Sunday afternoon, winning the second game 4-2. St. Olaf won the first game 15-4 in a contest shortened to five innings due to the NCAA eight-run rule.
With the split, the Auggies (14-20 overall, 10-6 MIAC) remain in the hunt for one of the four spots in the MIAC's postseason playoffs. Augsburg has three doubleheaders this week, finishing its conference season, and the Auggies are currently one of four league teams with at least 10 conference victories (St. Thomas 16-0, Gustavus 12-4, St. Mary's 10-4). Augsburg's 10 victories in league play also marks the first time the team has reached the 10-win plateau in MIAC action since the 2001 season (10-12 MIAC, 17-19 overall).
Trailing 1-0 to St. Olaf (12-14 overall, 5-9 MIAC) entering the seventh inning of the second game, the Auggies manufactured four runs, taking advantage of two hits, an error, two walks and three fielder's choices to take the lead. A bases-loaded walk tied the game, and a two-run fielder's choice by Ashley Westerman (SR, Bemidji, Minn.) gave the Auggies the lead. Another run came across after an error. St. Olaf scored a run in the bottom of the seventh, but stranded two runners on base to end the game.
Melissa Larsen (JR, Andover, Minn.) picked up the pitching victory for the Auggies in the second game, throwing a complete-game effort. She struck out one but did not walk anyone, allowing eight hits.
Jennifer Castillo (FY, Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn HS) went 3-for-3 at the plate for the Auggies in the second game, while Sarah Mueller (JR, Green Bay, Wis./Southwest HS) went 2-for-3. Emily Hennig and Ali Berens had two hits apiece for the Oles, with Henning adding a double with two RBI.
In the first game, St. Olaf overcame a 4-2, third-inning deficit with seven runs in the bottom of the third and six runs in the fourth inning to end the game early. Janae Fabini drove in five runs on 3-of-4 hitting, while Ellen Larson drove in three runs on 3-of-4 hitting for the Oles. Berens and Jordan Wilson had two hits and scored two runs each as part of St. Olaf's 13-hit attack. The Oles also took advantage of three Augsburg errors in the game.
Tiffany Magnuson (JR, Green Bay, Wis./Notre Dame Academy HS) had two hits and scored two runs for the Auggies, while Jolene Ross (SR, Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View HS) also had two hits for the Auggies, scoring a run. Westerman drove in two runs for the Auggies.
Augsburg returns to MIAC play on Wednesday (4/23) at 5 p.m., hosting Carleton at Edor Nelson Field. St. Olaf hosts Hamline in an MIAC doubleheader on Monday (4/21) at 4 p.m.
