St. Cloud, Minn. -- The St. Cloud State University softball team took the field for their second game at the Kelly Laas Memorial Invite this afternoon. The Huskies matched-up against #8 Augustana College in a 2 p.m. non-conference contest. The Huskies defeated the Vikings 3-2 in eight innings.
 
St. Cloud State improves to 1-1 overall. #8 Augustana College drops to 5-2 overall.
 
The Huskies got on the board early, scoring in the bottom of the second after freshman catcher Alyssa Coletto (Aurora, Ill.) hit an RBI single to drive in Breana Canova (Riverside, Calif.).
 
In the bottom of the third, Breana Canova singled up the middle to drive in Tricia DeBoer (Blooming Prairie) and increased the Huskies lead to 2-0.
 
The Vikings made a comeback, scoring one run in both the fifth and seventh innings to tie the game at two all.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, Alyssa Coletto doubled to score Taylor Thomas (Fontana, Calif.) for the win.
 
Kelly Franks (Stevens Point, Wis.) started on the mound for the Huskies. Franks pitched seven innings, gave up three hits, struck out five and walked two.
 
Sophomore pitcher Senna Francesconi (Schomberg, Ontario) came through with the win in her first collegiate appearance. Francesconi pitched the final inning, giving up one hit and allowing no runs.
 
The Huskies put together eight hits in the game led by Alyssa Coletto with three hits and two RBI's. Tricia DeBoer added two hits. Canova, Amber Holmgren (Shakopee) and Kelsie Fitch (Carver) each added one.
 
The Huskies will return to action at the Kelly Laas Memorial Invite on Sunday as they take on the University of Nebraska-Kearney at 9 a.m. and Missouri Western at 3 p.m.