NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College softball team dropped a pair of extra-inning contests to visiting Augsburg University, falling by scores of 9-5 (8 inn.) and 11-7 (8 inn.).
Prior to the game one, the Knights recognized the three seniors on the roster: outfielder
Amy Chen, outfielder
Helen Moses, and catcher
Reagan Wills.
Game 1
A two-out single from Zoie Johnson in the top half of the first gave Augsburg (24-8, 9-5 MIAC) an early 1-0 advantage, but Carleton (12-14, 3-9 MIAC) answered in the home half. Moses doubled with one out, and
Adriana Wiggins put runners on second and third after reaching on a fielder's choice and an error by the Auggies.
Bryanna Schaffer's RBI grounder scored Moses to tie the game 1-1.
The game stayed knotted until the top of the fifth, when the Auggies scored three times, including a two-out, two-run home run for Morgan Paaske.
The Knights were not out of it, though, rallying for three runs of their own in the sixth to tie the game again.
Livi Peters was hit by a pitch and scored when the center fielder could not catch a flyball hit by
Natasha Paez. A two-out single from
Megan Smith plated Paez and Smith advanced to second on the throw home. Smith then stole third and scored when the throw sailed down the left-field line.
A scoreless seventh sent the game to an extra frame, where the Auggies exploded for five runs, including four unearned runs with two outs.
The Knights scored once in their half, but it was not enough as the hosts lost 9-5.
Smith, Moses, Wiggins, and Wills each had two hits in the contest.
Rachel Block pitched all 8.0 innings for the Knights and struck out seven batters, allowing nine runs (four earned) on nine hits and four walks.
Libby Moore of the Auggies earned the start, and threw 4.0 innings and allowed one unearned run on four hits and two walks. Olivia O'Connor secured the win with her 4.0 innings of action, conceding four unearned runs on six hits and zero walks.
Game 2
Four fielding errors plagued the Knights in the second contest, leading to seven unearned runs.
Two of those miscues came in the top of the second and helped load the bases with one out. A walk brought home the first run, and the Auggies plated another when Carleton could not record an out on a rundown. The final two tallies came across after a two-out single.
The Knights got on the board in the third inning. Smith singled to center, stole second, and raced home on Wiggins' single up the middle.
Augsburg widened its advantage to 7-1 with an unearned run in the fourth and two more in the fifth, but Carleton rallied for six unanswered runs.
The Knights began the comeback in the bottom of the fifth. Moses doubled with one and raced home on Schaffer's single up the middle.
Peters and
Grace Colburn got the bottom of the sixth started with singles, and pinch hitter
Ella Collins walked to load the bases. A throwing error permitted two runs scores. Moses hit a sacrifice fly, and Wiggins followed with an RBI single. Another throwing error brought home the tying run.
Just like game one, the Auggies came through with a massive eighth inning, scoring four times thanks to three walks, three wild pitches, and a single.
Schaffer finished the game 3-for-4, while Smith had Wiggins had two hits apiece.
Morgan Paaske tossed a complete 8.0 innings for the Auggies and earned the win, allowing seven runs on 11 hits and two walks.
Sydney Trentman struggled with control in her 6.0+ inning outing, walking 10 Auggie batters, and allowed 10 runs (three earned) on three hits with four strikeouts. Out of the bullpen
, Genevieve Lyon pitched a scoreless 1.1 innings, walking zero and allowing three hits before giving way to Block.
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton hosts cross-town rival St. Olaf College for a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader on Tuesday, April 23.
