SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Missouri Western softball (17-10, 5-3 MIAA) split a doubleheader at No. 8 Augustana Tuesday, winning the first game 5-4 in 9 innings before dropping the second, 9-0, in 5.

Missouri Western has now beaten three ranked teams this season, including two in the top 10 just in the last week.

Missouri Western resumes conference play this Thursday at Central Missouri. Those games are set to start at 2 and 4 p.m.

Game 1: Missouri Western 5 No. 8 Augustana 4 (9 innings)
The Griffons broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the ninth inning, putting up four runs in the frame. The inning started with a single shot home run to centerfield by Taylor Jones – her first career homer. She also hit a triple in the first game.

Mackenzie DeVine later followed with a two-run bomb to center. Jones, DeVine and Myah Dwyer each had a pair of hits in the win. Ayva McComas had an RBI triple in the sixth.

Augustana's Ashton Dorman homered in the bottom of the 9^th to make it a one-run game, but Sydney Rader struck out Norah Christiansen in the next at-bat to secure the win.

Throwing 162 pitches, Rader (12-3) scored her eighth consecutive win, striking out eight and walking three. She surrendered three earned runs.

Game 2: No. 8 Augustana 9 Missouri Western 0 (5 innings)
Augustana scored a run in each of the first four innings, while holding the Griffons to just two total hits. Lexi Lander (8-2) was the winning pitcher for the Vikings, as she struck out six on the day.

Ashlyn Finarty (3-3) took the loss in 2 innings, allowing five earned runs. Harley Pruetting tossed the final two innings, striking out three and allowing just one earned run.