ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings softball team earned a home-opening sweep over the Coe Kohawks on Tuesday, winning game one by by a score of 11-3 before taking the finale in extra innings by a score of 10-6
In game one, the Vikings loaded the bases quickly in their opening at-bat and eventually sent in two runs following a Coe error and fielder's choice RBI from
Emma Evans. Augie built onto its lead in the second, pushing across four more, three of which game on one swing of the bat.
Alaina Diaz began the scoring with a an RBI single to center before
Aubrey Gradin blasted a home run to left field to bring in three more. Both teams went scoreless and the Vikings took a 6-0 cushion into the fourth.
Another Kohawks error awarded the Vikings their seventh run of the game in the fourth, but the visitors inched closer with a three-spot in the sixth to make it a 7-3 game. Augie responded with its second four-running inning of the contest to earn the walk-off win in six innings. A bases-loaded walk to
Teagan Nees began the scoring outburst, followed by a two-run single by
Jordan Faust in the next at-bat.
Marley Behm's sacrifice fly got the Vikings to the eight-run margin to end the game at an 11-3 final.
As a team, Augustana posted eight hits in game one, led by two apiece from
Alexis Duke and Diaz.
Lauren Koster struck out five to earn the win on the mound.
In game two, Coe was on the board first with a run in the bottom half of the first and held the 1-0 advantage until Duke's solo blast in the third. The 1-1 deadlock was broken the next inning with another Coe tally, but Augie countered with three runs in the top of the fifth. Gradin jump-started the rally with a two-run single to give the Vikings their first lead before the third run came in on a double steal. The Kohawks scratched one back in the fifth before collecting a two-out RBI hit in the bottom of the seventh to even the score. Augie threw out the game-winning run at the plate to keep the game tied at 4-4 and force extras.
In a busy eighth inning, the Vikings erupted for six scores in their at-bat, beginning with a passed ball that sent
Meghan Nixon home for the go-ahead run. Duke brought in her second run with an RBI single to follow before Gradin's bases-clearing double made it a 9-4 advantage. An infield single by Evans brought Gradin home to cap off the six-point frame. Coe responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half and threatened with the bases loaded, but Augie secured the final out to escape with the 10-6 win.
The Vikings racked up 14 hits in the win, with Duke, Diaz, and Gradin all boasting three-hit efforts. Koster earned her second win of the day in relief of
Mikaylin Hofer.
With the wins, Augustana improves to 6-0 on the season. The team will be back in action March 22 at Cumberland.
