Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team capped off its weekend trip with a pair of losses on Saturday, falling to Augustana, 14-3 and 8-5 in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader on Saturday in Sioux Falls, S.D.

MSUM fell to 2-19 overall and 0-6 in the NSIC with the losses, while Augustana improved to 15-6 overall and 4-2 in the league.

The good news for MSUM is the Dragon offense warmed up with six extra-base hits in the two games. However, MSUM's pitching was unable to slow down the Viking offense, and the Dragons also committed five errors in the two games.

"We need to work on being consistent in all phases of the game," MSUM head coach Kelsey Fehl said. "We do good things at times but the consistency isn't there in those areas right now. We need to work on developing that as we move forward with our season."

In the first game, MSUM had three hits -- all doubles. Sophomore Taylor Huss was 1-for-2 with two RBI, while sophomore Mollie Annen was 1-for-1 with a double and a run scored. Sophomore Amanda Lynch was 1-for-3 with a double. Senior Amanda Moore added an RBI.

The Dragons faced a 3-0 deficit after the top of the third but battled back in the bottom of the frame. Annen walked to lead off the inning, and one out later, sophomore Rachel Sannicandro was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Brittany York reached on an error to load the bases.

Moore walked to force in Annen, bringing the Dragons within 3-1. Huss then stepped up with the big two-run double to right-center, scoring Sannicandro and York and tying the game at 3-3. A strikeout ended the threat for MSUM.

Augustana re-took the lead with three runs in the fourth, and put the game away with a big eight-run sixth inning which included a grand slam by Emily Heinz.

Freshman Morgan Nybo took the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) in three-plus innings. Freshman Taylor Clifton pitched 2.1 innings and allowed six runs (five earned) while junior Brandi Howell finished the final 0.2 innings, allowing two earned runs.

The second game was much more competitive as the Dragons smacked out seven hits, including three for extra bases.

Sophomore Moriah Bruns was 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI, while Lynch was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Moore was 1-for-3 with a double and RBI, while Annen was 1-for-3 with a run scored. Junior Whitney Finco added a double.

Augustana held a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the second before MSUM got on the board. Lynch led off the inning by reaching on a passed ball off of a strikeout. She moved to second on a wild pitch and later advanced to third on a passed ball. Lynch scored when Annen's grounder was misplayed at short, bringing MSUM within 2-1.

Bruns then stepped up with two outs and crushed a two-run homer over the right-field fence to give the Dragons a 3-2 lead.
The Vikings tied the game with a solo homer in the third, and followed with two runs in the fourth and three in the fifth to take an 8-3 lead.

MSUM fought back in the fifth. Bruns singled to lead off the inning, and was forced out at second by a fielder's choice by Sannicandro. Sophomore Brittany York walked, and Moore followed with a double to the gap in left center to score Sannicandro, bringing MSUM within 8-4. One out later, Lynch singled up the middle to score York, cutting the Viking lead to 8-5.

Freshman Kelly Watson walked to load the bases, but a strikeout ended the threat. MSUM left nine runners on base in the game.

MSUM brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh but a pair of strikeouts topped that threat.

Freshman Katie Edison took the loss on the mound for MSUM, allowing eight runs (seven earned) in five innings. Freshman Kristen Nordby pitched two scoreless innings of relief.

MSUM will play at St. Cloud State on Thursday. The doubleheader, which begins at 2 p.m., will be held at the Husky Dome in St. Cloud, Minn.