ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- Nadia Ranieri struck out 16 batters and did not allow a hit in the opening game of a two-game set on Tuesday as the Augustana Vikings softball team picked up two victories over the visiting Monmouth Scots to give them 15 wins on the season. The 15 wins eclipse last year's total of 14.

Game One (W 4-0)

Ranieri stole the show in game one, striking out the first eight batters she faced on her way to the 16-strikeout performance. Ranieri struck out the side in the first, second, and fifth inning before Monmouth finally got their first base runner on in the sixth due to a walk. The Scots saw runners in scoring position in each of the final two innings, but were unable to muster anything across as they finished the game without a hit.
 
On offense, the Vikings did most of their damage in the bottom of the third, plating three runs on five hits to break a scoreless tie. After three singles loaded the bases, Nichole Nash brought in the first run on a hit up the middle. Two batters later, Morgan Bielfeldt sent one to center to score two to give the Vikings a 3-0 lead. In the fourth, Augie added one more on a bases-loaded walk to Nash.
 
Augustana tallied ten hits in the contest, with three posting multi-hit efforts. Claudia Buchholz, Josie Smith, and Sydney Ohrtmann all collected two hits at the plate, while Nash and Bielfeldt accounted for the runs scored. 
 
Game Two (W 8-3)

The Vikings earned a single run in each of the first two innings as an RBI from Bielfeldt in the first and run-scoring double from Buchholz in the second game them the early 2-0 advantage. An RBI groundout from Ranieri and sacrifice fly off of the bat of Ashlyn Mathers doubled the Vikings' lead to 4-0 in the third, but the Scots came fighting back with a three spot in their next at-bat to cut the differential to one. 

Augie responded to the big inning from Monmouth with one of their own in the bottom of the fourth, pushing across four to cushion their lead. Two errors in the inning, as well as two RBI singles from Nash and Bielfeldt, led to the four-run frame to push the score to 8-3. Neither team sent anymore runs across the plate the rest of the way and Augustana took game two by that margin.

Buchholz lead the offensive efforts with a perfect 4-4 performance at the plate. Nash and Bielfeldt also added two hits apiece. Becca Cash earned the win on the mound for the Vikings.

With the wins, Augustana improves to 15-8 overall. The team will be back in action on Friday, April 15 on the road at Carthage. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Kenosha, Wis.