MOLINE, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings split with the Illinois Wesleyan Titans on Friday at the Green Valley Sports Complex. The Titans took game one 5-3 after eight innings before Augie secured a 5-0 shutout in game two.

GAME ONE

The Titans grabbed the early lead at the top of the first with three runs. Both teams remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth when Alexis Duke hit a two-run home run to get within one with a 3-2 game. In the next at-bat, Aubrey Gradin was walked, and Marley Behm entered the game to pinch run for her. Behm advanced to third after Emma Evans singled to right field to put runs on the corner. Emily Gad brought the tying run home after singling to deep center field to create a 3-3 game. 

The teams stayed even through the seventh inning to force extras, where the Titans tallied two to take the game 5-3. 

Seven Vikings collected hits in the game, with Duke leading with two and batting in two runs. On the mound, Mya Brown pitched all eight innings, with four strikeouts and 156 pitches.

GAME TWO

Both teams produced a quick three-out first inning, and Augie's defense continued in the following inning. In the bottom of the second, the Vikings offense kicked off a run starting with a single to right from Addie Garr. Olivia Osborne continued the offensive rally with a double down the right field line before Evans brought Garr home on a single up the middle. Lindsay LaVine batted Osborne home after a single down the left field line and stole second to get herself and Evans in scoring position. A'Rion Lonergan collected the fifth hit of the inning after doubling to left center to bring Evans and LaVine home. Gradin singled to left center to bring in the final run of the inning and take the 5-0 advantage. 

The Vikings' defense held strong throughout the final five innings to seal the shutout victory over the Titans. 

Seven Vikings earned hits in the win, with LaVine leading with two, while Lonergan batted in two runs. Garr earned the win on the mound after pitching all seven innings with just two hits and four strikeouts.

With the split, Augie moves to 6-13 on the season and 1-3 in conference action. The Vikings will be back in action on April 16 at Dubuque.