KENOSHA, Wis. -- The Augustana Vikings softball team wrapped up its weekend away from home on Saturday, splitting a road doubleheader with the Carthage Firebirds. Augie fell in game one by a score of 7-5 before taking game two with a score of 4-1.

The Vikings got out to a fast start in the opener, scoring the game's first five runs. A two-run home run by Ashlyn Mathers quickly put Augie out in front 2-0 after an inning of play before the team added three more to its total in the third. Following a Mathers walk to begin the frame, Claudia Buchholz brought her in to score with a double to right center. An RBI groundout by Lilli Burton extended the differential to four and a run-scoring base hit from Nadia Ranieri made it 5-0 after three innings. Carthage answered with two runs on a two-out hit in the fourth to cut the deficit to three. The Firebirds stormed back with a five-spot in the bottom half of the sixth to claim a 7-5 advantage before closing out the win in the seventh.

Buchholz led the team in game one with a pair of hits, while Ranieri struck out six on the mound.

In game two, the Vikings had a strong offensive showing with five hits through the first two innings, but left five on base as the game remained scoreless through the first three innings. Morgan Bielfeldt broke the deadlock in the bottom half of the fourth with a leadoff home run, but the Firebirds answered with a run in the sixth after a bunt single came all the way around to score following an errant throw into right field. 

Buchholz began the bottom of the sixth with a double and following a single and a walk, the Vikings faced a bases-loaded situation with two outs. Ranieri then put the team out in front with a three-run double to the left-field fence to make it a 4-1 score heading into the final frame. Lauren Koster forced a groundout and consecutive pop ups to earn the complete-game victory.

Koster allowed just three hits in the win after going all seven innings and striking out five. As a team, the Vikings compiled 12 hits, led by Beifeldt's 3-3 effort and Ranieri's three runs batted in.

With the split, Augustana now sits at 14-8 on the season and 5-3 in the CCIW. The team will begin a lengthy road stand on Tuesday with a doubleheader at Eureka.