ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Augsburg University softball team faced tough competition against St. Catherine University in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader on Tuesday, suffering losses of 11–3 and 9–0, both in five innings.

THE BASICS
SCORES: St. Catherine 11, Augsburg 3 (5 inn.); St. Catherine 9, Augsburg 0 (5 inn.)
LOCATION: Edor Nelson Field, Minneapolis
RECORD: Augsburg 7-22 overall (2-11 MIAC), St. Catherine 19-10 overall (8-3 MIAC)

GAME 1 RECAP
In the first game, the Auggies managed six hits, including a double, but struggled to overcome a six-run second inning by the Wildcats. Brooke Laier pitched 4 1/3 innings for Augsburg, striking out four batters and issuing one walk. Despite the loss, Laier completed the game, marking her third complete game of the season. Megan Gissler stood out offensively with two hits and one RBI. Aleia Johnston contributed with a double and scored a run, while Jaime Olson also scored a run and collected an RBI, showcasing key moments in the lineup. 

A pivotal six-run second inning by St. Catherine shifted the momentum, as the Wildcats capitalized on errors to build a commanding lead. Annie Cook and Sam Aronson reached base on consecutive errors, which set the stage for Kylee Kohout's RBI double. Mayci Larson extended the lead further with a two-RBI triple, followed by Faith Bonse's RBI double, bringing the score to 7–1.

Augsburg attempted to rally in the second and third innings, with Johnston's leadoff double in the second setting up Gissler's RBI single to temporarily tie the game at 1–1. In the third, Olson scored on Mckenna Haug's RBI single, but the Auggies' momentum was halted by a double play. St. Catherine added three more runs in the fifth to secure their victory.

GAME 2 RECAP
In the second game, Augsburg managed just one hit as they fell 9-0, with St. Catherine's pitching staff combining for a shutout. Zoe Adkins pitched 3 innings, issuing 5 walks and striking out 1 batter. Nikolina Opp provided relief, pitching 1 inning and conceding just 1 hit. Jaime Olson recorded the lone hit for Augsburg, as the Auggies struggled to create offensive opportunities against the strong St. Catherine defense.

St. Catherine took control early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Helen McKinnon led off with a walk, stole second, and scored the opening run on Faith Bonse's RBI double, who later crossed the plate on a passed ball. Augsburg's offensive chances were limited; although Lola Pilon drew a walk in the first, the team couldn't capitalize. Olson's single in the fourth brought some hope, but the inning ended with Johnston's groundout, leaving Augsburg scoreless.

UP NEXT
Looking ahead, the Auggies will face Carleton College in a MIAC doubleheader on Saturday, April 25 at 1 p.m., in Northfield, Minn.