STORM LAKE, Iowa -- The Augustana Vikings softball team improved its winning streak to five games following a doubleheader sweep over the Buena Vista Beavers on Thursday. The Vikings won game one in 10 innings by a score fo 5-4 before taking the finale with a final of 4-1.

After a scoring threat by Augie was halted, the Beavers struck first with a tally in the bottom half of the first for the 1-0 lead. Teagan Nees earned the run back for Augie during the ensuing at-bat for the team, sending in the first score via sacrifice fly before Emma Schmidt's RBI single with two outs put the Vikings on top for the time being. Following a scoreless third, the Beavers got the two runs back to take a 3-2 advantage into the fifth. 

Alaina Diaz knocked in the equalizing run with a single in the fifth, but the tie game was quickly erased after Buena Vista added one more to its total in the bottom half. Fast forwarding to the seventh with the Vikings trailing by a run, a single and an error put two runners on for Augie before a pop out to short put the Beavers one out away from taking game one. With two gone and runners on first and third, Aubrey Gradin sent a ball through the left side to even the score at four runs apiece and force extra innings.

The two teams played two extra frames without a run before an eventful 10th inning. Alexis Duke capitalized on runners at second and third for Augustana, connecting on an RBI groundout to move the Vikings out in front entering the bottom half. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with nobody out for the Beavers, but Lauren Koster struck out the next three batters to steal the victory.

Augustana knocked 14 hits as a team and was led by Duke's three hits. Koster went all 10 innings on the mound to earn her sixth victory of the season, striking out eight in the process. 

In game two, it was Augie that struck first with Diaz RBI single to give the team a 1-0 lead exiting the opening inning. The 1-0 margin remained intact for the next three frames before the Vikings created some space with a three-run fifth. A passed ball brought in the first run of the inning for the team, followed by Gradin connecting on a two-run single with the bases loaded to account for the final two. Augustana worked around a tally in the sixth by the home team, but shut the door in the seventh to complete the sweep.

The Vikings secured six hits in the win, with McKensey Stontz posting a multi-hit performance. Mikaylin Hofer struck out five and earned the win on the mound.

Augustana will be back in action Saturday to host Carthage.