By: Sydney Smith, Augustana Athletic Communications

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – In a 10-inning marathon game, Augustana softball collected a 2-1 win against Missouri Southern State in its opening matchup of the NCAA Tournament after scoring two unanswered runs on Thursday afternoon at Dawson Field.
 
The Vikings will await the results of game two in the Central Region 2, facing the winner between host No. 2 seed Southern Arkansas or No. 7 seed Harding at 1 p.m. on Friday afternoon.
 
Augustana collected six hits against MSSU, with Liz Dierks leading with two knocks. Andrea Cain and Ashton Dorman each doubled on the day as Dierks scored both of the Vikings runs and Ella Cooper tallied 12 putouts.
 
The first three innings flew by without a hit, as each team was downed in order in their respective at-bats.
 
That streak was broken in the top of the fourth, when the Lions collected a base hit off of Grace Glanzer's strong arm in the circle. An ensuing fielder's choice would stop a runner from reaching second base and the inning would go no further.
 
MSSU then kicked off the scoring action in the top of the sixth. After singling to right center, back-to-back ground outs would advance the runner to third base. A costly error then broke the door open on the game for the 1-0 Lion lead.
 
Augustana then fired back in response.
 
Norah Christiansen drew a walk before back-to-back fielder's choices had the Vikings facing two outs. An error from the visitors on the scoreboard put Cain on first for two runners on when Desi Cuevas stepped up to bat.
 
She knocked a powerful single up the middle to bring Dierks home and tie up the game 1-1 in the sixth inning.
 
Missouri Southern State was able to get runners on second and third base in the seventh, but the AU defense held them in place while the offense was also able to take another hit off of the Lions' pitcher.
 
Lexi Lander entered the circle in the eighth inning and would proceed to down her batters faced in order in each of her three innings of action. But the strong showing from the pitchers also continued across the field for the visitors...at least until the bottom of the 10^th inning.
 
The Vikings faced two outs when Dierks stepped to the plate, sending a bunt to the pitcher to reach first base. That brought up Cain, who knocked a rocket of a double to left center. Dierks was sent home and, following an obstruction call against the catcher, scored the walk-off run to seal the victory.