Photo credit: photos.paap.net

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- The No. 13 Minnesota State softball team fell to Augustana, 5-4, and, 8-6, Friday afternoon at Bowden Field.

In game one, the Vikings (24-6, 6-0 NSIC) scored a walk off run in the seventh inning to steal the 5-4 win over the Mavericks (22-8, 3-3 NSIC). Freshman Lexi Schoper (9-3) takes the loss for Minnesota State allowing one hit in 1.2 innings of work. Sophomore Caitlin Stone started the contest and registered two strikeouts in 5.0 innings of action. Freshman Ashley Mickschl (9-3) earns the win for Augustana throwing four strikeouts in a complete game.

Freshman Torey Richards wasted no time extending her team-best hit streak to 16-games with a single up the middle to score junior McKenzie Paap in the first frame. Senior Jessica Meidl tacked on one more run of her own give the Mavericks a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first inning. Augustana cut the deficit in half with a run of its own in the bottom half, 2-1, after junior Maggie Kadrlik scored.

Minnesota State increased its edge up to 4-1 in the third inning following a pair of unearned runs from Richards and Meidl. After a scoreless fourth frame, Kadrlik struck again for the Vikings with a three RBI home run to lock the contest, 4-4. Augustana then stole the win in the seventh inning after senior Kaylea Schorr sent an RBI single to right center.

Paap led the Mavericks with three hits, two stolen bases and one run. Minnesota State tallied 11 hits as a team while Augustana totaled seven.

In game two, the Mavericks comeback bid fell short against the Vikings, 8-6. Freshman Mackenzie Ward (9-4) started the contest and takes the loss with two strikeouts over 1.1 innings. Sophomore Bria Majeski finished the game with one strikeout in 4.2 innings. Senior Lexy Pederson claims the win for the Vikings with three strikeouts in 3.0 innings.

After a scoreless first inning of play, Minnesota State snatched the first run of the game with an RBI single from sophomore Kennedy Rieck in the second frame. Augustana retaliated with seven runs in the bottom half to steal the edge, 7-1. Minnesota State then made a pitching change as Majeski checked in for Ward in the circle.

Following a scoreless third inning, freshman Julia Bastian gave the Mavericks life with her first career home run over the left field wall. The shot sent sophomore Amber Kral home to pull Minnesota State within four, 7-3. One inning later, freshman Hannah McCarville blasted her second home run of the season over the left field wall. The hit sent three runs across to pull the Mavericks within one, 7-6. However, senior Morgan Beaner responded for the Vikings with home run of her own to put the game out of reach, 8-6.

Bastian led the Mavericks with two hits, two runs and two RBI, while McCarville contributed a team-best three RBI, two hits and one run. Richards posted one hit to extend her team-best hit streak to 17-games.

Minnesota State returns to action on Tuesday to make its home debut against Sioux Falls. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.