GAME 1 BOX | GAME 2 BOX

WINONA, Minn. -- Melissa Larsen (SR, Andover, Minn.) and #C.J. Rice# (SO, Dayton, Minn./Elk River HS) had four hits apiece in the doubleheader, but their Augsburg College softball team dropped both games to host St. Mary's University in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon at SMU Field.

Augsburg (17-13 overall, 7-5 MIAC) fell 11-6 to St. Mary's (9-15 overall, 6-4 MIAC) in the first game and 7-4 in the second game.

An eight-run first inning, where the Cardinals sent 11 batters to the plate, spelled the difference in the first game. Augsburg scored twice in the top of the first, as Brittney Bruzek (JR, Alexandria, Minn./Jefferson HS) drove in two runs on a single and error.

In the fifth inning, Augsburg scored four runs, sending nine batters to the plate. A Bruzek single plated a run, as did singles by Rice, Shawna Middleton (FY, Hastings, Minn.) and Laura Strandell (JR, Pine Island, Minn.).

In the second game, Augsburg trailed 4-0 after four innings, but scored four runs in the top of the fifth to tie the game. Singles by Jessa Hinz (JR, Richfield, Minn.) and Bri Dorale (FY, Ramsey, Minn./Anoka HS) drove home runs, and Jennifer Castillo (JR, Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn HS) drove home two runs on a single. But St. Mary's scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to pull ahead to stay.

Dorale had three hits for the Auggies in the doubleheader, while Hinz, Castillo and Bruzek had two hits apiece. Larsen pitched 10.2 of Augsburg's 12 innings in the doubleheader, striking out two while not walking a batter. Just six of the 11 runs scored against her were earned.

Four Cardinals had three hits each in the doubleheader -- Mallory Betzold, Hanna Schmitt, Julianne Bartosz and Paige Carter. Bartosz had a double adn triple with four RBI, while Erin Stenseth hit a three-run homer in the second game.

Augsburg returns to MIAC play on Sunday (4/18) at 12 p.m. (NOTE TIME CHANGE) with a doubleheader against Concordia-Moorhead at Edor Nelson Field.