BOXSCORE 1 | BOXSCORE 2 MINNEAPOLIS -- Christa Blaquiere (JR, Edam Saskatchewan/H. Hardcastle HS) had a career day for the Auggies, picking up three hits in the two games, going 3-for-5 with an RBI, but her Augsburg College softball team suffered a sweep by Saint Mary's University in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Edor Nelson Field. Augsburg (3-23 overall, 0-8 MIAC) dropped both games to St. Mary's (8-10 overall, 4-4 MIAC), falling 8-1 in the first game and 10-2 in the six-inning second game.

In the first game, the Auggies struck first, after pitcher Olivia Boerschinger (JR, Neenah, Wis.) made quick work of the Cardinals in the top half of the first inning. Lauren Torborg (FY, Brooklyn Park, Minn./Park Center HS) led off with a single to center, advanced to second on a groundout, moved to third on a single by Lindsay Helbach (JR, Amherst, Wis.), and scored on a groundout by Bekka Kelly (JR, Columbia Heights, Minn.) with one out and the bases loaded. Saint Mary's answered with one run in the third on three hits, then blew the game open with three runs in the fourth and fifth innings. The Cardinals compiled five hits in the two innings, while the Auggies commited three errors to help the visitors take a 7-1 lead into the game's final two innings. 

The Auggies finished the first game with five hits, and Kelly's first-inning RBI was their only run. Helbach went 2-for-3, while Torborg, Blaquiere and Jenna Orth (FY, Melrose, Minn.) had one hit apiece. Saint Mary's scored eight runs on nine hits, and took advantage of three Augsburg errors. Toni Hunsinger (FR, Farmington, Minn.) had a hot bat, going 3-for-3 with three RBI to lead the Cardinals. Boerschinger got the loss for the Auggies, throwing five innings and giving up seven runs, but only two of them were earned. Ashley Betzold (FR, Farmington, Minn.) picked up her fourth win of the year with 10 strikeouts, five hits, one run and three walks for Saint Mary's. 

The second game could not have started much worse for the Auggies, as Saint Mary's scored three runs on four hits, one being a two-run home run to left field by Kathi Opsahl (FR, Elk River, Minn.). The Auggies were retired in the bottom of the first on three pitches, as each batter was putout on the first pitch. St. Mary's would score two more runs in the third, three in the fourth and two in the sixth to finish off the Auggies 10-2. Augsburg was again plagued by errors, with three in the game. The Cardinals were able to take advantage, scoring three unearned runs.

Amanda Eaton (SR, White Bear Lake, Minn.) threw all six innings for the Auggies, surrendering 11 hits, striking out five, and walking three, while Jess Wirz (SO, Eau Claire, Wis./Eau Claire Regis HS) completed five innings, giving up six hits, two runs, two walks and no strikeouts for the Cardinals. Alex Raske (JR, Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley HS) and Opsahl did most of the damage for the Cardinals at the plate, going a combined 6-for-6 with seven RBI and two walks. For the Auggies, Blaquiere went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Hurley, Amanda Niznik (FY, Columbia Heights, Minn.) and Ashley Anfinson (FY, Watertown, Minn./Watertown-Mayer HS) each went 1-for-3 in the second game. Anfinson had an RBI as well, while Emily Smith (SR, Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo HS) went 1-for-1 with a walk.

Augsburg returns to MIAC play on Saturday (4/12) at 1 p.m. with a doubleheader at St. Olaf.