Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team was swept in a doubleheader by No. 11-ranked Augustana on Saturday, losing by 8-0 and 8-3 scores in Sioux Falls, S.D.

MSUM fell to 5-8 overall and 1-3 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Three of the Dragons' losses have come to teams ranked in the top 20 in the nation, while another came to a team receiving votes in the NFCA Division II poll. Augustana improved to 20-5 overall and 3-1 in the league.

"We faced one of the top teams in the conference today and found things we need to keep working on to get better," MSUM head coach Kelsey Fehl said. "In the second game we gave ourselves more opportunities offensively and scored some runs but still left some chances out there. We need to keep working hard to improve in all phases and build on the positives and good things will happen."

The Dragons played without leadoff hitter and starting center fielder Mollie Annen, who was out with an injury.

In the first game, MSUM was held to three hits by Augustana standout Jenelle Trautmann, who struck out nine in four innings. Junior catcher Brittany York, junior shortstop Taylor Huss and sophomore pitcher Morgan Nybo had hits for MSUM.

MSUM's best scoring chance was in the fourth, when York and Huss each singled to lead off the inning. However, Trautmann struck out the next three batters to end that threat.

Augustana's offense – which entered the game hitting over .300 for the year – displayed its power with three home runs. Nybo took the loss for MSUM, giving up eight runs (seven earned) in 4.2 innings. She walked one.

In the second game, MSUM's offense warmed up with seven hits, led by Huss, who was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. York was 1-for-3 with an RBI while freshman first baseman Lauren Meeker had an RBI. Sophomore first baseman Shannon Smith had double, while junior right fielder  Heather Tice and freshman center fielder Carly Williamson each had hits for MSUM.

MSUM faced a 6-0 deficit before getting on the board in the sixth. Smith, pinch hitting for Williamson, led off with a double. Williamson re-entered to run for Smith and later scored on a groundout by Meeker.

In the seventh, with one out, freshman Hannah Klug walked, and Williamson followed with a single to move her to third. York singled to score Klug with MSUM's second run, and Huss doubled down the right-field line to score Williamson to bring the Dragons within 8-3, but they were unable to get closer.

Sophomore pitcher Kristen Nordby took the loss for MSUM, going six innings. She allowed eight runs (seven earned), striking out two and walking two.

The Dragons wrap up the weekend with a doubleheader at Wayne State starting at noon on Sunday in Wayne, Neb.