BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings softball team dropped its first game of the CCIW Tournament on Thursday, falling to the Millikin Big Blue by a final of 8-4.

After a pair of scoreless innings, the Big Blue struck first with a three-spot in the third after pushing across a trio of base hits. Augie answered with an explosive inning in the fourth, sending home four runs to take its first and only lead. Three straight singles from Alaina Diaz, Anna Maciejewski, and Emily Gad loaded the bases with one out before a bases-loaded walk issued to Teagan Nees brought in the Vikings' first tally. Marley Behm moved the deficit to one with an RBI single and was followed by a walk and hit batter to give Augustana the 4-3 lead. 

Millikin evened the score with a run during the ensuing at-bat before taking the lead with two in the sixth. The Big Blue added to their advantage with another pair in the seventh, all while holding the Vikings without a hit through the final three frames.

Each team notched eight hits in the game, with Diaz collecting three and Duke with two to lead the Vikings.

Augustana will face North Central tomorrow at 1 p.m. in an elimination game.