ST. PAUL – The University of Northwestern softball team (7-9) and visiting Augsburg University (8-8) provided Reynolds Field spectators with plenty of entertainment Thursday, as the two squads split a pair of one-run games in the home opener for the Eagles.

Game One
In a marathon opener, Ellie Ronning (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria Area ) couldn't have picked a better time for her first collegiate homer, as the freshman blasted a solo shot over the right-field fence in the bottom of ninth to give UNW a 7-6 walk-off win.

Augsburg put a three-spot on the board in the top of the first, but the Eagles' slow and steady approach proved to be enough. UNW plated a run in each of the first four frames before pushing two across in the fifth to knot the score at 6-6.

A trio of freshman posted two hits apiece at the dish, as Kayla Madison (North Branch, Minn./Forest Lake ), Kayla Hannasch (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North ) and Ronning all delivered a pair of base knocks. Madison also tallied two RBI, while Mindy Forcier (Watkins, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins) scored twice and stole a base.

Lexi Kopacek (Willmar, Minn./Willmar) pitched five innings of shutout ball in relief of starter Abbie Nelson (Holdrege, Neb./Holdrege). Kopacek surrendered just hits, while fanning four to pick up her fourth win of the year.

Game Two
In another shootout, Augsburg climbed all the way back from a 7-4 deficit in the seventh inning to pick up the 10-9 win. After the Auggies plated six in the top of the seventh, the Eagles put together a furious rally in the home half of the frame before coming up just short.

Kayla Madison (North Branch, Minn./Forest Lake ) again led the Eagles at the plate, posting two hits and two RBI, while scoring twice. Kayla Hannasch (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North ) also had two RBI and Taylor Ehnstrom (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) scored two runs.

Abbie Nelson (Holdrege, Neb./Holdrege) blasted a solo homerun in the bottom of the seventh to cut the deficit to 10-8.

Lexi Kopacek (Willmar, Minn./Willmar) was tagged with the loss in the circle, as the lefty allowed seven runs in relief of Moriah Maunu (Glencoe, Minn./Glencoe-Silver Lake).

The Eagles will be right back on the diamond Friday, as Macalester will visit Reynolds Field for a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 3:30 p.m. Fans can find more info at unweagles.com and by following @unwsoftball on Twitter.