SIOUX FALLS, SD — After a month without games, the Augustana softball team will take a week-long field trip across Missouri to play 10 games over five game dates. The Viking will open with the Drury Invitational before playing three straight doubleheaders.
The first pitch of the Drury Invitational is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. against Nebraska Kearney. Later that day, the Vikings will take on No. 9 Central Oklahoma in a game between two postseason rivals. The Drury Invitational ends respectfully on Sunday with AU versus Northeastern State and host Drury at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Augustana then travels to Bolivar, Missouri on Tuesday to take on Southwest Baptist, Rolla, Missouri vs. Missouri S&T on Wednesday and Kansas City, Missouri vs. Rockhurst on Thursday.
Not all games will have live stats or live video, but fans are encouraged to visit GoAugie.com/Live for the most up-to-date ways to watch Viking Softball games live.
Nebraska Kearney | Saturday, 10 a.m
The Lopers go into the weekend with a 7-11 record, conceding losses at last week’s Washburn Invite to St. Cloud State, 9-4, and Minnesota Crookston, 10-4. Avery Wood is the top hitter with a .435 average, including three home runs. The best pitcher is Sydney Thomason, who is 3-1 with a 4.11 ERA.
Central Oklahoma | Saturday, 4 p.m
The Bronchos are four straight game winners and own a 10-3 record. They are led by Emily Deramus in the batter’s box with her .429 average with 16 RBI and four homers. In circles Jordyn Pipkin with her 2.53 ERA in four starts and seven appearances total.
Northeastern State | Sunday, 1:30 p.m
The RiverHawks own an 11-5 record in 2023, including a four-game sweep of their own NSU Cherokee Nation Festival last weekend. Savannah Evans leads the team with a .405 batting average, but it’s Chloe Bohuslawicky who ranks third in the nation with nine homers. In circles, Madison Heinle is 5-2 with a 2.26 ERA.
Drury | Sunday 5:30 p.m
The host Panthers have won five straight games to even their record of 9-9 in 2023. Sophia Luetticke is the only panther to bat over .300 as she has an average of .357 with a batting percentage of .524. Drury’s ace is Kristina Bettis as she is 5-5 with a 3.26 ERA with 74 strikeouts in just 58 innings served.
Southwest Baptist | Tuesday, 3/5 p.m
The Bearcats go into the weekend 5-9 but will play four games in the MIAA/GLVC crossover before taking on the Vikings. Shalie Wooden is the top hitter with her .407 average, while Jenna Daggett is 3-2 in the circle with a 5.55 ERA.
Missouri W&T | Wednesday, 1/3 p.m
The Miners hold a 7-5 record this season but will play five games as part of the MIAA/GLVC crossover before taking on AU on Wednesday. Bryn Wooldridge owns 1,050 OPS while hitting with a .444 clip to lead S&T. On the other hand, Wooldridge is also the top pitcher for the Miners, having pitched to a 2.51 ERA while holding a 4-2 record.
Rockhurst | Thursday, 2/4 p.m
The Hawks hold a 3-6 mark in 2023 but have faltered in three games before entering next weekend’s Lion Classic. Before facing the Vikings, Rockhurst plays Northwest Missouri State, Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State (twice) as part of the Lion Classic. Bailey McGovern hits with a .348 clip while Maya Gallagher is just behind at .346 to lead the Hawks. In the circle is Anna Newcomer with 3.63 ERA 2-2.
The Vikings
Augustana opened his season on February 2-4 at the DII Spring Invitational Kickoff in Conroe, Texas with a 2-4 record. While deceptive, three of those losses were by two runs or fewer, including a 3-2 walk-off loss to No. 3 UT Tyler.
Liz Dierks got off to a strong start to her second campaign, hitting .389 with seven hists and hitting four runs. Kennedy Buckmanwho showed her value proposition as a sophomore last season, hit two home runs over the six games as part of her 1,088 OPS.
The competitions in Texas saw Hailey Houston Get her first career win in the circle in the process Lexi Lander took her first win in a Viking uniform. Houston hit 12 hitters in 15.2 innings and gave up just five earned runs in her four appearances.
One last thing
All America honoree Grace Brink is in 29th placeth in NCAA Division I with their .83 walks per game. A year ago, Brink held a .422 batting average to lead the Vikings while batting at a .721 clip.
–GoAugie.com–