GAME NOTES
This week: Augustana will play at the Husky Dome Classic in St. Cloud, Minn., this weekend. The Vikings will take on Southwest Minnesota State (7 a.m.) and St. Cloud State (9 a.m.) on Saturday. On Sunday, the Vikings will face Northern State (11 a.m.) and Minnesota State Moorhead (1 p.m.).
Last time out: Augustana won the Desert Stinger tournament in Las Vegas with a 5-0 record. The Vikings had victories in five innings over Montana State-Billings (8-0), Fort Lewis (22-2) and Adams State (11-0). Augustana also defeated Western New Mexico (5-4) and Chadron State (10-0).
Meyer on fire: Allowing just five total hits and not one single run in 10.0 innings, junior pitcher
Ashley Meyer (Rapid City, S.D.) lead the Vikings to No.1 in Las Vegas Feb. 12. Along with fanning 10 batters and allowing her team to finish both games in just five innings, Meyer held challengers Chadron State and Montana State Billings to a .143 batting average. Meyer was named Pitcher of the Week by the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and the Desert Stinger MVP. She was also named all-tournament first team.
Take cover: Action at the Husky Dome Classic will take place at the Husky Stadium. The stadium is used by St. Cloud's football and soccer teams during the fall but features a dome during the winter months to allow the baseball and softball teams shelter from the cold winter weather. When inflated, the dome is one of the highest in the upper midwest.
Live stats: Live statistics will be available for Augustana's game on Saturday against St. Cloud. To view the live stats log onto www.GoAugie.com/livecentral.and click on the SB tab under St. Cloud State.
Makin' the cut: Counting Meyer, seven Vikings were chosen for the Desert Stinger all-tournament team.
Elizabeth Murray (Cottage Grove, Minn.), with an on base percentage of .667 and batting of .571, earned first-team honors. Murray slugged 1.000 for the tournament, was 8-of-14 with seven runs and nine RBI, and boasted four extra-base hits, including a double, a triple and two home runs. Also taking first-team was
Traci Fransen (Jackson, Minn.), finishing 9 of 14, batting .643 with three home runs and 11 RBIs. Fransen hit two doubles, and had a 1.429 slugging percentage. Receiving honorable mention honors for the all-tournament team were
Chelsey Durland (Maple Plain, Minn.),
Kelsey Kalkman (Carver, Minn.),
Theresa McMahon ( Hartford, S.D.) and
Taylor Kapsch (Sioux Falls, S.D.).
Takin' over sin city: The Vikings were the only returning team from a year ago to again go undefeated at the Desert Stinger, improving their tournament record to 10-0. Last season the Vikings finished runner-up with the tiebreaker rule as Grand Canyon took home the crown in 2010.
Looking ahead: Augustana will escape the midwest snow over spring break with a trip to Kissimmee, Fla., for the Rebel Spring Games March 17-22.
National poll: Augustana received 162 votes in the National Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association Top 25 poll to remain ranked No. 15 for the second week in a row. The Vikings made their debut at No. 15 in the first regular season poll by the Association.
According to the coaches: Augustana received two first-place votes and 168 points to be selected second in the 2011 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. The NSIC's 13 head coaches vote in the poll.
1. Wayne State (9) 177
2. Augustana (2) 168
3. Winona State (3) 163
4. Minnesota State 147
5. Concordia-St. Paul 126
6. Minnesota Duluth 120
7. Southwest Minnesota State 116
8. University of Mary 93
9. St. Cloud State 91
10. Upper Iowa 77
11. Northern State 57
12. MSU Moorhead 52
13. Bemidji State 38
14. Minnesota, Crookston 31
First place votes in ( )
Players to watch: Senior third baseman
Traci Fransen (Jackson, Minn.) and junior pitcher
Ashley Meyer (Rapid City, S.D.) were named NSIC "Players to Watch". Fransen started in all 60 games for the Vikings and lead the team with 15 homeruns and 66 RBIs last season. She earned NFCA National Player of the Week honors, was named Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Central Region first team and was selected Daktronics All-Central Region second team. Meyer made 28 starts a year ago, recorded three shutouts and posted a 20-7 record with a 1.56 ERA. She was named Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Central Region second team, earned Daktronics All-Central Region first team honors and was named NSIC Rookie of the Year. Both Fransen and Meyer earned All-NSIC first team in the 2010 season.
About the squad: The Vikings retain a young look with
Traci Fransen (Jackson, Minn.) and
Mickey Anderson (Norfolk, Neb.) the only seniors on the roster. Despite being young, Augustana has the pieces in place to contend for a regional championship. Back in 2011 are five Vikings who appeared in all 60 games a year ago and two others who played extensively in at least 55 contests. Six Vikings who earned All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference recognition in 2010 also return.
Coaches' corner: Gretta Melsted, head coach at Augustana since 2007, was voted Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year in 2010. Augustana was second in the NSIC standings at the conclusion of the 2009 regular-season schedule and jumped to first place in 2010. Melsted has compiled an impressive 43-8 record in two seasons of NSIC competition and is 116-94 overall in her four seasons as head coach.
Michael Mook is in his second season as a graduate assistant coach for the Augustana softball program in 2010-11, working primarily with pitchers. Graduate assistant coach Kelsey Thompson is in her first year with the Augustana softball program in 2010-11.
The Augustana Coaches' Show: Live from the Gateway Lounge in Sioux Falls, The Augustana Coaches' Show airs each Monday at 5 p.m. Join Jeff Fylling and Augustana head coaches as they discuss various topics surrounding Viking athletics.
Stay connected: Follow Augustana all season long on its official online home, www.GoAugie.com. You can also get the latest news and updates on the Vikings on Facebook (www.facebook.com/GoAugie) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/GoAugie). To view video highlights and the latest episode of the Augustana Sportscene, log onto the Vikings' official YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/GoAugie
