SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The East Central University softball team fell in its first NCAA Central Regional game 2-4 to host Augustana College at Bowden Field.

Photo Gallery I Post Game Interview Head Coach Destini Anderson I Post Game Interview Sr. Samantha McGraw

The Tigers (32-15) saw their run production from senior Samantha McGraw, who hit her sixth home run of the season in the seventh to put ECU on the board.

The Vikings (51-9) took an early 0-3 lead in the bottom of the first and then added a run in the fifth for a 0-4 advantage.

The Tigers finished the game with five hits to Augustana's seven, with four of the hits coming in the final two innings.

McGraw then earned her two-RBI home run in the top of the seventh after junior Lauren Reeves was hit by a pitch to start the inning.

Junior Lacey Paulk started the game and suffered the loss, throwing the first inning.  Junior Marissa Shaffer entered in the second inning and allowed just two hits, one run and struck out two.

ECU will now get ready to face Winona State, Saturday, May 9 at 1:30 p.m. in an elimination game at the 2015 NCAA Central Regional.

Before the start of the game, the host team had a graduation ceremony for three ECU and one Winona State student-athletes who are missing their school graduations this weekend. 

The Tigers cheered on seniors Samantha McGraw and Lacey Williams-Wenholm and graduate assistant coach Cady Byrnes as they crossed home plate instead of a stage to claim their degrees from ECU Director of Athletics Dr. Jeff Williams.