Mankato, Minn.---  The Minnesota State softball dropped a pair of home games to #11 Augustana, as Augie took game one 2-0, before defeating MSU 3-0 in game two.

In the first game of the day, it was an old-fashioned pitcher's duel, as both pitchers threw all seven innings and combined for 22 strikeouts. Sophomore pitcher Coley Ries (16-14) took the tough loss, as she gave up just four hits and two earned runs, while fanning nine batters. During the game, Ries became the all-time single season strikeout leader (251) for MSU, as she surpassed Kendra Huettl on the list. 

Pitcher Jenelle Trautmann (26-2) earned the win for the Vikings, as she gave up just five hits and posted 13 strikeouts in the shutout win.

Augie scored its first run of the game in the top of the first, as the Jordan Schaffer singled home Carly Pickett from third. The Vikings pushed across their final run in the fifth after a solo home run to center field from Sarah Kennedy.

In the game, MSU left seven runners on base including four runners in scoring position.

Freshman Jordan Mauch recorded two hits, while sophomore Ashley Thell tallied a walk and a stolen base in the game one loss.

In game two it was more of the same, as MSU fell short to Augie 3-0. Freshman pitcher Libby Bemis took the loss as she pitched in 6.2 innings, while giving up three earned runs and striking out three batters. Carly Pickett earned the win for the Vikings, as she pitched all seven innings and struck out three batters.

After two scoreless innings from both teams, Augie put a run on the board in the top of the third, when Kennedy struck again with a RBI double to right center that scored Caitlin Nichol from second.

In the top of the fifth, Bemis got out of a bit of a jam when Augie loaded the bases after two hits and a walk with zero outs. The Vikings were able to push across only one run in the inning, to make the score 2-0 going into the bottom of the fifth.

In the top of the seventh, Augie added little insurance to its lead after a RBI single from Maggie Kadrlik that brought in Trautmann from third.

MSU left 10 total runners on base in the loss and five of them were in scoring position.

Mauch collected another two hits to her stat sheet, while junior Tatum Klein posted two hits as well. 

After the two shutout losses, the Mavericks currently sit with a 34-20 overall record and a 19-9 record in conference play.

The Mavericks will return right back to action on Sunday against Wayne State at home. It will mark as MSU's final regular season action. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.