Kevin Sethre, Staff Writer

The Augsburg softball team hosted Hamline for a doubleheader on April 20 but were unable to beat the Pipers, who have won six straight and are now fourth in the MIAC. The Auggies are 6-13 in conference and on the brink of being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.

The first game was a pitcher’s duel. Augsburg’s Sam Anderson held Hamline to one hit, but it was an important one: a two-run home run in the sixth inning that drove in the only two runs of the game. The Auggies had many opportunities, but they went one for eight with runners on base and stranded five. Anderson, Sarah Garcia and Jacqueline Nichols were the only Augsburg hitters who recorded a hit in the 2–0 shutout loss.

The Auggies struck first in the second game, getting two first-inning runs thanks to a double from Anderson and a sacrifice fly from Nichols. The Pipers cut their deficit in half during the top of the fourth, but Elly Strunk quickly responded with a base hit in the bottom frame to make it 3–1. Hamline scored another run in the top of the sixth, but Augsburg got another run on a ground-out by Strunk that drove in Hollywood Hermanson. The Pipers scored three runs in the top of the seventh, giving them a 5–4 lead that they held onto in the bottom half. Hermanson had a great game, going three for three while scoring twice. Elly Strunk pitched a complete game and drove in two runs for the Auggies.

After splitting their last home doubleheader against St. Kate’s on Tuesday, the Auggies continued a busy week with doubleheaders at St. Mary’s on Wednesday and Crown on Thursday. They finish the regular season on Saturday against Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, a team they swept last season.

This article was originally published in the April 26, 2019 issue.