BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings softball team saw its season come to an in the CCIW Tournament on Friday, falling to the Millikin Big Blue in an elimination game by a score of 4-3.

Augustana struck immediately with a leadoff home run by Nadia Ranieri in the top of the first to take a 1-0 lead out of the opening frame. Millikin drew even in the second with a solo shot before two more in the inning gave them a 3-1 advantage. The Big Blue moved their margin out to three with a busy third inning, but Augie stopped the momentum after throwing out a runner at home.

In the fourth, Brooke Hartzell kicked things off with a walk, setting up Ranieri's second home run of the contest to inch the Vikings closer and within a run. The team put a runner on following the homer and again in the fifth, but could not cash in the equalizer as Millikin held on for the 4-3 victory.

Ranieri led the way with two hits and all three runs batted in, while Jennica Soliz and Teagan Nees collected the other base hits. Ranieri and Lauren Koster combined for five strikeouts on the mound in split time. 

With the loss, Augustana ends its season with a 26-15 record. The 26 wins are the most since the 2015 season, while the 12 wins in conference are the most since 2006. The second-place standing in the CCIW is the highest for the Vikings in 10 years.