CLERMONT, Fla. -- The Augsburg University softball team closed its eight-game trip to Florida for THE Spring Games on Wednesday, starting with a 9–6 victory over the University of New England (N.H.) and then falling to Knox College (Ill.) 11-10 at Hancock Park.
THE BASICS
LOCATION: Legends Way Softball Complex, Clermont, Fla.
RECORD: Augsburg 5-11 overall
UNIV. OF NEW ENGLAND RECAP
The Auggies tallied 13 hits, including a home run, while pitcher
Brooke Laier recorded six strikeouts over seven innings, while allowing nine hits and six runs, five of which were earned. She struck out six batters and issued seven walks during her appearance, demonstrating resilience by facing 37 batters and recording 13 outs through fly balls and groundouts combined.
Jayden Evenson led Augsburg with three hits and two RBIs, including a double.
Lola Pilon made a significant contribution by scoring two runs and hitting a home run, while
Mckenna Haug recorded two hits, drove in two runs, and stole a base.
The game flow saw UNE's early momentum countered by the Auggies' strong performance. After trailing 4-1, Augsburg seized control in the third inning, highlighted by Evenson's double and
Jaime Olson's single, which set up
Kayla Shaffer's two-run single. A sacrifice fly by Haug then allowed Pilon to score, tying the game at 4-4. Augsburg maintained pressure with a crucial fifth inning, bolstered by
Megan Gissler's double and subsequent RBI singles by Evenson and Olson. Haug's speed on the bases enabled her to steal second and eventually score on an error, securing a steady lead for the Auggies.
In the sixth inning, the Auggies added an insurance run with Haug's RBI single, solidifying their three-run lead. Despite a bases-loaded walk by the Nor'easters, Augsburg's defense held firm, concluding with a clean seventh inning to preserve the victory.
AUGSBURG TOP PERFORMERS VS. UNIV. OF NEW ENGLAND
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Jayden Evenson: 3 hits, 2 RBIs, 1 double
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Lola Pilon: 2 runs, 1 home run, 1 RBI
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Mckenna Haug: 2 hits, 2 RBIs, 1 stolen base
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Brooke Laier: 7 innings pitched, 6 strikeouts
KNOX RECAP
The Auggies fell to Knox 11-10 in a back-and-forth game, where both teams exchanged leads throughout. Augsburg's highlights included a four-run second inning, but Knox secured victory with a two-run seventh inning.
Zoe Adkins pitched 5 innings, allowing 7 earned runs on 10 hits, including one home run, with 2 walks and one strikeout. She recorded 10 groundouts and 4 flyouts.
Nikolina Opp pitched 2 innings in relief, giving up 3 earned runs on 3 hits, along with 3 walks, resulting in a WHIP of 3.00 and taking the loss, moving her record to 1-3.
Lola Pilon had a standout performance, tallying three hits, including a home run, and driving in three runs while scoring three times.
Jayden Evenson added three hits in five at-bats, contributing one run, while
Kayla Shaffer recorded two doubles and two RBIs.
Adrianna Geddes reached base with a double and a walk, scoring two runs and driving in another.
Knox's late-game surge in the seventh inning sealed a narrow victory over Augsburg. A walk and a passed ball set the stage for Cheyanne Merkel's single, which advanced Maria Olivas to third, followed by Merkel stealing second to put two runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly from Chelsea McKee and an RBI single by Taylor Goudschaal allowed Knox to overturn a one-run deficit and take the lead. Despite a home run from Pilon in the fourth and a productive fifth inning, Augsburg could not hold off Knox's final push, with their last chance in the seventh ending with two runners stranded.
AUGSBURG TOP PERFORMERS VS. KNOX
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Lola Pilon: 3 runs, 3 hits, 3 RBIs, 1 home run
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Kayla Shaffer: 1 run, 2 RBIs, 2 doubles
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Adrianna Geddes: 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 double
UP NEXT
Augsburg opens Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Wednesday, April 1, at 3:30 p.m., hosting Hamline University in a doubleheader at Edor Nelson Field in Minneapolis.
