BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings fell to the Illinois Wesleyan Titans on Saturday by a score of 5-4 in the championship game of the CCIW Tournament.
The Vikings struck first in the opening inning when, with two outs, Aubrey Gardin homered to right field to give Augie an early lead. The Titans answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 2-1 advantage.
Both teams played strong defense over the next few innings before Augie tied the game in the top of the fourth. Gardin drew a walk, and pinch runner Sienna Ridgley entered the game. Ridgley advanced on a sacrifice bunt and a groundout before scoring on an RBI single up the middle by Emma Evans.
Augie regained the lead in the top of the fifth with two runs in the inning. Alexis Duke led off with a single up the middle and stole second base. The Vikings then drew three consecutive walks to load the bases and force in the go-ahead run before Gad scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-2. Augie's defense responded by retiring the Titans in order in the bottom of the inning.
Illinois Wesleyan reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the sixth with a three-run inning. The Vikings were unable to rally in the seventh, as the Titans secured the 5-4 victory and the title.
Three different Vikings collected hits in the game, while Evans and Gradin batted runs in. On the mound,
Mya Brown pitched 2.2 innings for 96 pitches and three strikeouts.
Lauren Koster closed it out in the circle with 1.2 innings and 24 pitches.
This game concludes the 2026 season with a record of 22-22 and 11-5 in conference play.
