The Scots extended their winning streak to seven games when they defeated Augustana College in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 23 in Rock Island, Ill.

All good things must come to an end, though, and Monmouth finally lost for the first time since April 9 in their second game against Augie.

The first game proved to be a pitcher’s dual, as Monmouth’s sixth inning run stood up as the only run of the ballgame.

With one out in the inning, sophomore Maggie Dort doubled to put herself in scoring position for the Scots. Augustana’s second basemen committed an error just a few pitches later, allowing Dort to score the game’s sole run.

Dort went 2-4 in the game, and freshman Erin Fitzpatrick also recorded two base hits, going 2-3.

As a team, the Scots were limited to six hits, but Augustana could not touch Monmouth pitching and only recorded four of their own. Junior Sarah Christensen started for the Scots, and she pitched four scoreless innings of two-hit ball.

Fellow junior Ashley Tocha entered the game in the fifth inning, and she pitched two scoreless innings while yielding one hit. Tocha earned the win in relief.

Valerie Mitchell put the finishing touches on the game, as she pitched the seventh inning and earned her first save of the season.

The second game was another low scoring affair, but Augustana outlasted the Scots and went on to win 3-1. The Scots earned an early lead by scoring in the top of the second inning, as junior Ashley Parer walked with the bases loaded.

Augustana tied the game in their half of the third, and then they went ahead for good in the bottom of the sixth by scoring two runs. Monmouth again had the bases loaded in the seventh inning, but they failed to score any runs.

The loss came despite a solid performance from junior Amanda Murdock, who started for the Scots and went four innings of one-run ball.

Monmouth has four games remaining in the regular season; they will host Grinnell College on April 25 and Cornell College on April 27.

If the Scots win both games against Midwest Conference foe Grinnell, they will improve to 5-3 in the MWC, and put themselves in a good position to make the playoffs. If the Scots do edge out Grinnell for second place in the South Division, they will play in the Midwest Conference Championships on May 2-3.

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