MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg University softball team split a pair of games on Saturday afternoon at Edor Nelson field as the Auggies move to 3-1 overall on the young season.

THE BASICS
SCORES: Augsburg 17, Northland 0 (5 inn.); Crown 8, Augsburg 5
LOCATION: Edor Nelson Field
RECORD: Augsburg 3-1 overall; Northland 0-8 overall; Crown 2-2 overall

GAME 1 -- HOW IT HAPPENED
• In the first game against Northland, Augsburg was able to bat through the order in the second inning and bat twice through the order in the third inning. The Auggies put 13 runs on the board in the third inning, with every Auggie in the line-up scoring a run in the frame.
• Augsburg pitcher Samantha Anderson (SR, Coon Rapids, Minn./Coon Rapids HS) started the game, pitching three innings, while recording four strikeouts against just two hits. Elly Strunk (SO, Blooming Prarie, Minn./Blooming Prarie HS) pitched two innings in relief, recording one strikeout while giving up just one hit to complete the shutout for Augsburg.
• Offensively, Augsburg was led by Nell Gehrke (JR, Northfield, Minn./Northfield HS), who was 2-for-2 with three runs scored and two RBI. Anesia King (JR, Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti HS) and Carly Dropik (SR, Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria HS) led the Auggies with three RBI apiece.

GAME 1 -- FOR THE FOES
• Northland was led by Alivia Heller, who was 2-for-2 in the game.
• Kylie Wiskiser added a hit for the Lumberjills.

GAME 2 -- HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Auggies gave up two runs in the first inning and another in the second before Jacquline Nichols (SR, Royalton, Minn./Royalton HS) was able to get on base with a walk and Kate Stehr (JR, Goodhue, Minn./Goodhue HS) advanced Nichols to second on a sacrifice bunt. Mackenzie Evenson (JR, Saint Louis Park, Minn./Saint Loius Park HS) reached on an error and Nichols came around to put the Auggies on the board.
• Augsburg gave up three runs in the fifth, but was able to answer right back when Anderson hit a triple down the right field line with the bases loaded to bring the score to 6-3 in favor of Crown. The Storm picked up two more runs in the sixth, while the Auggies scored one and left two stranded. The Auggie defense held in the seventh and kept Crown off the board. Anderson led off with a single in the bottom of the seventh, followed by a single to center by Nichols, but the Auggies weren't able to come up with the clutch hitting they needed as they dropped their first game of the season.
• Anderson pitched a complete game for Augsburg.

FOR THE FOES
• Olivia Christopherson picked up the win in the circle for Crown.
• The Storm were led by Zoe Roberts, who finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

UP NEXT
• Augsburg is idle until spring break when the Auggies travel to Tucson, Ariz. to play 10 games between March 16-21.