NORTHFIELD, Minn. – MSU Moorhead closed the opening weekend of NSIC play with a massive two-game split against Augustana on Saturday. The games were contested inside the Dundas Dome in Northfield, Minn.
Augustana would win game one by a count of 4-0 before MSUM would win game two, 5-4. For the Dragons, it is the first win over the Vikings since April 30, 2005.
Game One
The Dragons would almost immediately threaten in the first inning as
Evey Evans singled to lead off the top of the first.
Lizzy Davis would find base in the next at-bat on a fielder's choice to move Evans into scoring position. With no one out, Augie starter Grace Glanzer would earn a swift three outs which included two strikeouts. The Vikings would take advantage as they would smack a solo home run to lead off the home half. Evans began the game in the circle for MSUM as Augie would homer again before inning's end. Through one, the Vikings would lead 2-0 with four hits.
Augustana would hold the Dragons hitless in the top of the second and would add to their lead in the home half. The Vikings netted an additional run after an MSUM error to lead 3-0 after two frames of play. Glanzer continued to stifle the Dragons hitters as she would set MSUM down in order in both the third and fourth innings. This included four strikeouts in those possible six outs. Evans would sling a scoreless third inning before Augie made the score 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth on a fielder's choice.
MSUM would be kept off the basepaths in the fifth inning as well with Evans answering by stranding a pair of Vikings on base in the bottom half. Augustana had a runner in scoring position with two outs before Evans earned a ground out to close the frame. The Dragons would come close to solving Glanzer in the top of the sixth as
Ella Holiman worked out a leadoff walk. Holiman would move into scoring position after Evans earned her second hit of the ballgame on a single in the ensuing at-bat. However, Glanzer would respond (as she did all afternoon) by setting down three straight Dragon hitters to keep MSUM off the board.
Evans would set the Vikings down in order in the bottom of the sixth before MSUM had one final chance in the seventh. Yet, Glanzer would set MSUM down in order as the Dragons would only have two hits in the contest. Despite the 4-0 loss, Evans would pitch a complete game for MSUM and would put forth a strong effort. The senior fanned a pair of Vikings with only three earned runs surrendered. Evans also stranded six Augustana baserunners throughout the game.
Game Two
The Dragons would be held hitless in the first inning while Dragon starter
Azalya Lopez worked out of a jam in the home half. Lopez found herself with the bases loaded with two outs and would earn a pop up to keep Augie off the board. MSUM would use it to their advantage in the second frame as
Sam Centeno stepped to the dish with one out. The true freshman would mash a solo round tripper to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead.
Chloe Makinney and
Evey Evans would each single thereafter to keep the momentum going.
The Dragons would have runners at the corners with two outs but would not be able to bring another run across. Lopez continued to keep the Vikings at bay with a scoreless bottom half.
Mack Gallagher and Lopez would earn hits in the third inning, but both were left stranded to close the frame. Augie would answer with a solo home run off Lopez in the bottom of the third to tie the game. Following a one, two, three inning in the fourth, the Vikings would take a 2-1 lead on a fielder's choice.
Gallagher would earn her second hit of the game in the fifth inning, but MSUM would not drive any runs in as Augie remained in front 2-1. Lopez would find herself in another precarious position in the home half as the Vikings had runners on second and third with one out. From there, the sophomore would only need five pitches to get Augie into a pair of ground outs to close the inning.
MSUM would find baserunners in the sixth inning as
Olivia Goderis reached base on an error to lead off.
Hannah Losee would pinch run for Goderis as Losee moved to second base on a ground out from Centeno. The ever-timely Makinney would then step up and hit an RBI three bagger to tie the game at two runs. In the ensuing at-bat, Evans would reach on a fielder's choice with Makinney scoring on the play. The Dragons would then load the bases with one out after an
Eliya Johnson single. Gallagher would drive home a run on a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 4-2. That score would hold true heading into the home half as Augie looked to respond.
Lopez would surrender a pair of singles in the bottom of the sixth as Augie would have runners at the corners with two outs. The Vikings would eventually load the bases after a two-out walk. Lopez would strand all three Vikings as she forced Augie second baseman Kennedy Buckman into a lineout to preserve the 4-2 lead.
Annika Norman would lead off the seventh with a walk as she would eventually move to third base after a single from Goderis and a bunt from Centeno. With two outs, Evans would single Norman in to give the Dragons an insurance run. Heading into the final half inning, MSUM led 5-2.
Augie would give MSUM a scare in the final half as the Vikings would connect on a two-run home run to make the score 5-4. Following the home run,
Teagan Clemmons would come on in relief of Lopez, searching for the final two outs. Clemmons would give up a single but would earn the second out on a fielder's choice. With a runner on first base, Clemmons would notch a game-clinching strikeout, securing a 5-4 Dragon win.
Up Next
MSUM (16-10, 3-1 NSIC) is scheduled to begin its home slate next Friday, March 29 in a doubleheader with Concordia, St. Paul. First pitch is set for noon in Moorhead. Any potential scheduling changes will be released as information becomes available.
