MANKATO, M.N. (Dakota News Now) - Augustana rode a dominant second inning in game two and strong pitching throughout to sweep Minnesota State on Friday afternoon, taking game one 7-3 before an 8-0 shutout in game two at the MSU Softball Diamond.
**Augustana 7, Minnesota State 3**
Desi Cuevas and Ella Cooper each recorded two hits while Cuevas drove in two runs to lead the Vikings in the opener.
Jaelyn Garcia (6-7) earned the win in the circle, allowing three runs over five innings, while Teya Speltz tossed two scoreless innings in relief.
Augustana struck first in the opening inning as Andrea Cain doubled to right field before Cuevas drove her in with a single to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead.
The Vikings broke the game open in the third inning.
Cuevas doubled to start the rally before a series of Maverick errors allowed Augustana to capitalize.
Kierra Lubovich reached and advanced runners, while Sidney Smart created pressure on the bases.
Norah Christiansen reached on an error to bring in another run before Stella Harber and Ella Cooper followed with RBI singles, pushing the lead to 5-0.
Minnesota State answered with a run in the third and added two more in the fourth, highlighted by a solo home run, to cut the deficit to 5-3.
Augustana responded in the sixth inning to regain control. Cooper singled to lead off the frame and later scored on a Cuevas RBI groundout.
Claire Wynja followed with a double to left center, driving in another run to extend the lead to 7-3.Speltz closed the door over the final two innings, allowing no hits while striking out two to secure the win.
**Augustana 8, Minnesota State 0**
Kierra Lubovich led the Vikings with three hits and two runs scored, while Andrea Cain homered and drove in two runs as Augustana completed the sweep.
Helene Krage (8-5) was dominant in the circle, tossing a three-hit shutout over six innings with three strikeouts.
After a scoreless first inning, the Vikings erupted in the second.
Stella Harber reached to start the inning before Norah Christiansen moved her into scoring position.
Ella Cooper followed with a single and Susie Tollefson drove in the first run with an RBI groundout.
Cain delivered the big swing, blasting a two-run home run to center field.
Desi Cuevas and Wynja followed with hits before Lubovich added an RBI double as Augustana capitalized on multiple Minnesota State errors to plate seven runs in the inning and take a commanding 7-0 lead.
The Vikings added an insurance run in the sixth inning.
Lubovich singled and moved into scoring position before Sidney Smart reached and Harber brought home a run on an error to make it 8-0.
Krage controlled the game throughout, limiting Minnesota State to just three hits and stranding multiple runners to complete the shutout and secure the sweep.
**Up Next**
Augustana continues its time on the road as it takes on Winona State on Saturday at 12/2 p.m.
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