ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings softball team split a pair of non-conference games with the visiting UW-Platteville Pioneers on Wednesday, falling in game one by a score of 7-3 before winning game two by a final of 2-1.

Game One (L 7-3)

In the opener, the Pioneers scored in their first at-bat of the game, but were quickly met with an equalizing score from the Vikings in the bottom of the first as Claudia Buchholz delivered a two-out RBI single to even the score at 1-1. Following a scoreless second and third frame, Platteville reclaimed the lead with a two-spot in the top of the fourth, adding one more in the fifth to bring the score to 4-1 heading into the sixth.

Augustana inched closer with two runs in their half of the sixth, with Buchholz beginning the rally with her second run-producing single of the contest. Lauren Koster helped her case on the mound with a sacrifice fly in the next at-bat to make it 4-3 heading into the final inning. The Pioneers shut down the Vikings' comeback threat with three additional runs in the top half before holding Augie in check to close the game at its 7-3 final.

The Vikings tallied four hits in the contest, led by two from Buchholz. Koster struck out four in seven innings. 

Game Two (W 2-1)

Augustana struck first in the finale, tallying a run in the bottom of the second on an RBI single to right field from Olivia Blood. After two scoreless innings from Koster, Nadia Ranieri took over on the mound in the third, keeping the 1-0 lead intact until the Vikings added another in their half of the fifth. After a single to begin the frame, a passed ball moved a runner in scoring position, setting up a two-out single from Morgan Bielfeldt to double the team's lead.

UW-Platteville earned a score back in their ensuing at-bat, sending a home run over the fence to cut the margin in half. Ranieri worked around a hit batter in the seventh to close out the game and help give Augie the 2-1 victory.

The Vikings out-hit the Pioneers 8-6 in the contest, led by two hits apiece from Blood, Ranieri, and Buchholz. Ranieri struck out seven in five innings to earn her 10th win of the season.

With the results, Augustana sits at 14-14 on the season. The team will hit the road on Friday, April 21 for a rescheduled non-conference game against the Monmouth Fighting Scots. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3 p.m.