ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings softball team went 1-1 on Saturday against the visiting North Central Cardinals, falling in the opening game by a score of 3-2 before holding on for a 4-3 victory in the finale.

Game One (L 3-2)

Augustana jumped out to a 2-0 lead after a run in the second and third inning. Morgan Bielfeldt got things going with an RBI single that brought in Janna George, who entered as a pinch runner. In the third, Claudia Buchholz sent one over the fence in center field for a solo home run to double up the Vikings' advantage to two at the time. 

North Central responded with a run in three straight innings, beginning with the fourth and ending in the sixth. The Vikings went without a hit over the span, but saw a leadoff single from Nadia Ranieri to begin the bottom of the seventh. A lineout, flyout, and groundout followed and the Cardinals held on for the one-run victory to begin the day.

Ranieri reached base twice for the Vikings, who had just four hits. She also struck out four on the mound in seven innings of the work, also allowing just four hits.

Game Two (W 4-3)

The Cardinals struck first in game two, pushing across one in their opening at-bat for the early advantage. Augie answered with all four of their runs scored in the top half of the second, seeing an RBI double from Morgan Bielfeldt to jump-start the scoring outburst. Later in the inning, Nichole Nash broke the tie with two outs, brining in two on a run-producing single. Erin Smith then added one more to help cushion the lead as she sent an RBI single to left field to complete the four-run frame.

North Central added a score in the third and fourth inning to inch closer and make it a 4-3 game. The Vikings held on to that score all the way until the end until they were facing a bases-loaded jam during the Cardinals' plate appearance. With one out and the tying run on third, a line drive hit right to Buchholz at third was caught and she was able to step on the bag before the retreating runner to end the game. 

Augie posted 12 hits in the win, led by Buchholz with three. Smith and Ranieri also secured multi-hit efforts. Ashley Dehmlow earned the win on the mound.

With the results, Augustana now sits at 18-11 overall and 4-6 in CCIW action. The team will be back in action on Monday against Carroll on the road. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. from Waukesha, Wis.