MINNEAPOLIS -- Zoie Johnson (FY, Carlton, Minn./Esko HS) hit a two-run homer to spark a six-run sixth-inning rally, as the Augsburg University softball team scored a 10-7 win, gaining a split of a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader with the College of Saint Benedict on Saturday afternoon, after falling 1-0 in the opener.

THE BASICS
SCORES: Saint Benedict 1, Augsburg 0; Augsburg 10, Saint Benedict 7
LOCATION: Edor Nelson Field, Minneapolis
RECORD: Augsburg 9-12 overall (1-5 MIAC), Saint Benedict 16-3 overall (4-1 MIAC)

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS
• The first game was a pitchers' duel between Augsburg's Olivia O'Connor (SO, White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake HS) and Saint Benedict's Elly Novak, with each allowing just three hits in complete-game efforts. O'Connor struck out three while not allowing a walk, while Novak struck out 14 against no walks.
• Augsburg's first two hits were both bunt singles, by Torrie Rehder (FY, Goodhue, Minn./Goodhue HS) to open the fifth inning and by Katie Manecke (SO, Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) in the sixth. 
• Meredith Taylor (FY, Randolph, Minn./Randolph HS) hit a triple in the seventh inning.

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS
• Trailing 4-0 going into the bottom of the fifth inning, Augsburg tied the game with a four-run frame, sending nine batters to the plate and collecting five hits. An RBI single by Bella Kallas (SR, Big Lake, Minn./Big Lake HS), a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch by Kayla Hanson (SR, St. James, Minn./St. James HS) and a two-run single by Sabriya Passmore (JR, Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley HS) accounted for the Auggie runs.
• Augsburg sent 11 batters to the plate in the sixth inning, scoring six runs on five hits and taking advantage of two Saint Benedict errors. Johnson's two-run homer to center sparked the rally, followed by a run-scoring double by Passmore, a two-run single by Sara Deming (SR, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS) and an RBI single by Taylor.
• Saint Benedict scored three runs in the top of the seventh and had the potential tying run at the plate with one out but left fielder Deming threw out a Bennie runner at the plate trying to score from second base for the second out, and a lineout to pitcher Libby Moore (FY, Springville, Minn./Springville HS) ended the game.
• Moore gained her first collegiate pitching victory, throwing a complete game with three strikeouts against six walks and nine hits. Saint Benedict stranded seven runners on base in the game.

FOR THE FOES
• Bryn Carlson doubled to lead off the fourth inning, and pinch-runner Tiffany Thompson scored on a groundout for Saint Benedict's lone run of the first game.
• Addy Bowne hit a home run, Gabby Spencer hit two doubles and Katie Carlson hit a triple in the second game for the Bennies.

UP NEXT
• Augsburg hosts St. Scholastica in an MIAC doubleheader on Sunday (4/10) at 11 a.m. at Edor Nelson Field. The game was originally scheduled to be played at St. Scholastica, but was moved to Augsburg. The Saints will be the designated home team in both games on Sunday.