Brown Lifts Vikings To Split With Minnesota State

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- Augustana split a doubleheader with Minnesota State on a cold Saturday afternoon.  The Vikings were edged 4-3 in game one but Jenny Brown's two-run double gave the Vikings a 9-8 win in the night cap.  Augustana now holds a record of 26-9, 13-5 in the NSIC while Minnesota State sits at 27-9, 12-4 in the NSIC.

GAME ONE
Lindsay Erickson's two-run home run in the fifth inning gave Minnesota a 4-0 lead and Emily Heinz's three-run blast in the next inning wasn't enough for the Vikings to overcome the deficit and lost 4-3.

Jenelle Trautmann surrendered just on earned run in her six innings of work, but was handed the loss.  Theresa McMahon tallied two hits to lead the Vikings as they amassed eight as a team.

Minnesota State jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning when the Mavericks plated the leadoff runner.  Augustana threatened in the second inning but couldn't answer the hot MSU start.

The next three innings proved fruitless for both teams and Minnesota State was the first light up the scoreboard again.  The Vikings allowed a runner to reach on a throwing error with two outs and the Mavericks capitalized on their second chance.

One run scored on a single and Erickson blasted a home run to right center to give MSU a 4-0 lead.

Augustana answered with a double by McMahon and Brown with a single, but McMahon was called out for not advancing while the pitcher had the ball in the circle.  Trautmann walked and Heinz followed with a blast to left centerfield pulling the Vikings within one run at 4-3, but couldn't muster another run in the top of the seventh.

GAME TWO
Jenny Brown's two run double in the top of the seventh gave the Vikings a one-run lead and Carley Pickett shut down the Mavericks in the bottom half to give Augustana a series split with a 9-8 win.

Once again, Minnesota State played the aggressor with a three-run first inning, but Augustana answered in the second with a big inning. The Vikings tallied six runs on six hits to take a 6-3 lead just two innings into the game.

Jenelle Trautmann highlighted the inning with a three-run double down the right-field line. Five different Vikings tallied singles before Trautmann cleared the bases and eventually was thrown out at third base.

The lead wouldn't hold as Samantha Holien and Kelly Wood each hit a home run for the Mavericks and tied the game at 6-6.  Augustana retook the lead in the top of the fourth when Brown drove in Carly Peterson with a single up the middle.

MSU scored two runs to answer in the bottom half of the fourth with a pair of runs on a Wood single.  The Vikings were then held scoreless their next two at-bats, but rose to the occasion at the last chance.

Pickett walked to start the inning and Peterson followed with a single.  Theresa McMahon was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Brown.   The senior second baseman found a gap in left centerfield and smashed a ball to the fence scoring Pickett and Peterson to put Augustana up 9-8.

Pickett then slammed the door on the MSU comeback chances with a 1-2-3 inning to secure her fourth win of the year.

The Vikings are set to face Concordia-St. Paul Sunday at noon.

Courtesy:  Augustana College