BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings softball team split the second day of the CCIW Tournament on Friday. The Vikings fell to the Illinois Wesleyan Titans by a score of 5-0 before walking it off against the North Central Cardinals with a 4-3 score to advance to the championship game.
GAME ONE
Both teams played strong defense early, keeping the game scoreless through two innings before the Titans broke through with a run in the top of the third. In the bottom half, Alexis Duke doubled to right-center field and moved into scoring position after Lindsay LaVine singled down the left-field line with two outs, but the Vikings were unable to capitalize and trailed 1-0.
Augustana held Illinois Wesleyan to just four batters in the next inning, but the Titans extended their lead with four runs in the fifth to make it 5-0. Strong defense from both teams continued over the final two innings as the game ended in a 5-0 Titans victory.
The Vikings collected seven hits, all coming from different athletes. Addie Garr pitched 4.2 innings for 84 pitches and two strikeouts. Lauren Koster closed it out in the circle with 2.1 innings and 32 pitches.
GAME TWO
The Vikings retired the Cardinals in order in the opening inning before striking first in the bottom half. Alexis Duke started the rally with a single through the right side and advanced on an error before scoring on a single by Madi Bickell to give the Vikings an early lead.
Both teams were held in check over the next four innings before North Central tied the game 1-1 in the top of the sixth. The Cardinals then added two runs in the seventh to take a 3-1 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, Emma Evans and Mikaylin Hofter singled and advanced on a throwing error during a sacrifice bunt attempt by Lilli Burton. With the bases loaded, Emma Schmidt singled through the left side to score Evans and cut the deficit to one. Emily Gad then drew a walk to bring home the tying run and keep the bases loaded. With two outs, Garr entered as a pinch hitter and delivered a single up the middle to score the winning run and complete the Vikings' 4-3 comeback victory.
The Vikings recorded seven hits from seven different players.
Lauren Koster earned the win on the mound after entering the game as a relief pitcher for 2.0 innings, 30 pitches, and one strikeout.
With the split, Augie moves to 22-21 on the season and will be back in action for the championship game tomorrow at 11 a.m. against Illinois Wesleyan.
