Millikin softball battled throughout Thursday's contest against Augustana but fell 8-3 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) action.
The Big Blue threatened early in the first inning after Ann Marie Meek and Haley Willan recorded singles to help load the bases with two outs, but the Vikings escaped the jam to keep the game scoreless.
Augustana struck first in the third inning after Lilli Burton doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Alexis Duke to take a 1-0 lead.
The Vikings extended their advantage in the fourth inning, scoring five runs on six hits. Emma Evans and Mikaylin Hofer delivered RBI doubles before Burton added an RBI single. Augustana later added a two-run single and capitalized on a Millikin error to move ahead 6-0.
Millikin responded in the bottom of the fifth inning. Abby Willis reached safely before Abbey Matthews delivered an RBI single to score the Big Blue's first run of the afternoon.
The Big Blue continued to battle back in the sixth. Brianna Denault launched a solo home run to lead off the inning, and Millikin added another run later in the frame after Ann Marie Meek came around to score following an Augustana throwing error, cutting the deficit to 6-3.
Augustana added an insurance run in the seventh on a solo home run from Mikaylin Hofer to seal the 8-3 final.
Denault led Millikin offensively with a home run and a walk, while Matthews recorded an RBI hit. Haley Willan, Abby Willis, and Ann Marie Meek each added hits for the Big Blue.
Millikin will continue play in the CCIWÂ Championship Tournament on Friday, May 8, taking on North Central College at 1 p.m.
