Sioux Falls, S.D. -- #1 Augustana proved to be too much for the young Golden Eagles softball team on Sunday afternoon. The Vikings used strong pitching and power hitting to sweep Minnesota Crookston, 9-1 and 8-0.
 
With the two losses on the day, the Golden Eagles fall to 8-30 on the season and 4-20 in the NSIC. The Vikings improve to 36-4 overall and 24-2 in the NSIC.
 
Game One
The Golden Eagles got off to a really good start. Minnesota Crookston would jump out to a 1-0 lead in game one following a Jordan Peterson (R-Jr., UT, Lakeville, Minn.) single, scoring Dana Zarn (So., IF, Winnipeg, Manitoba) to go up 1-0.
 
The Vikings would answer quickly, scoring three runs in the bottom half of the first inning.
 
The Vikings would then score four runs in the bottom half of the second inning, highlighted by two home runs in the inning off the bat of Mary Pardo and Kendall Cornick.
 
The Vikings would score one run in each the fourth and fifth inning to earn the 9-1 victory in game one.
 
Offensively, the Golden Eagles collected three hits in the game, with one each from Peterson, Zarn and Cassie Querry (Sr., C/3B, Cassville, Pa.).
 
In the circle, Sofia Gombos (Fr., P, Salinas, Calif.) picked up the loss, going 1.1 innings of work, while giving up six runs on five hits.
 
Game Two
In game two, the Vikings struck early. Cornick hit her second home run of the day to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead. Augustana wouldn't look back.
 
The Vikings struck for four runs in the bottom of the second and one more in both the fourth and fifth inning, to win the game 8-0 in five innings.
 
Offensively, Minnesota Crookston collected one hit as a team, which came off the bat of Hannah Macias (Jr., OF, West Covina, Calif.).
 
In the circle, Katie Humhej (Sr., P, Surrey, British Columbia) went four innings while giving up eight runs on eight hits, while striking out three. Humhej picked up the loss on the day to drop to 5-12.
 
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston will wrap-up their season next weekend at home for senior weekend. The Golden Eagles will welcome in the University of Mary and Minot State for a pair of doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday. First pitch for both days is set for 12 p.m., from Crookston.