KENOSHA, Wis. -- The Augustana Vikings softball team split the CCIW doubleheader against the Carthage Firebirds. The Vikings won 5-4 in the first game, but fell 8-5 in game two.

GAME ONE

Carthage took the early advantage after scoring three in the opening inning and tallied another in the second. Augie remained scoreless until the top of the fifth when Alexis Duke hit a two-run home run to make the score 4- 2. The Vikings' defense held the Firebirds to just three at-bats in the bottom of the inning. 

Augie carried that momentum into the sixth. Emma Schmidt led off with a single to left-center, and A'Rion Lonergan moved both runners into scoring position with a double to right-center. Aubrey Gradin drove in two runs with a double to tie the game at 4–4.

Sienna Ridgley entered the game for Gradin, and Carthage followed with a pitching game. In the next at-bat, Madi Bickell doubled to right center to bring Ridgley home and overtake the game 5-4. Augie maintained the advantage to secure the first game.

Six Vikings collected hits in the win, Gradin and Duke batted two runs in. Mya Brown earned the win on the mound after 4.1 innings with two strikeouts and 56 pitches. Lauren Koster pitched the first 2.2 innings with a strikeout and 60 pitches.

GAME TWO

The Vikings struck first as Lindsay LaVine singled up the middle and stole second before Madi Bickell drove her in with another single to give Augie a 1-0 lead. Carthage answered in the bottom half of the inning, tying the game at 1-1.

Augie regained the advantage in the second. Emma Evans singled to right and advanced on a bunt by Emma Schmidt before coming around to score on back-to-back fielder's choices, putting the Vikings up 2-1. Augie added another run in the third when Duke singled and later scored on a double by Evans.

The Vikings continued to build momentum in the fourth. Mikaylin Hofer reached on a single, stole second, and moved to third on a flyout before scoring on a throwing error to extend the lead to 4-1. Carthage responded in the bottom of the inning, plating six runs to take a 7-4 lead. The Firebirds added another in the sixth to make it 8-4.

In the final inning, the Vikings loaded the bases with three straight singles. Osborne brought the lead runner home on a sacrifice fly to make an 8-5 score, but the rally fell short as Carthage took the game 8-5.

Eight Vikings collected hits in the game, with three earning two apiece. 

With the split, Augie moves to 8-5 on the season and 2-4 in conference play. The Vikings will be back in action tomorrow to battle Carroll.