SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana travels to Las Vegas, Nev. this weekend to compete in the Desert Stinger. On Friday the Vikings will take on Western New Mexico at 2 p.m. followed by Chadron State at 4:30 p.m. Augustana will then play three games on Saturday against Montana State Billings (2 p.m.), Fort Lewis (7 p.m.) and Adams State (9:30 p.m.).
The Vikings reached the regional finals in 2010 and aspire to extend post-season play this spring.
Coach
Gretta Melsted's Vikings have the pieces in place to contend for a regional championship. Five Vikings appeared in all 60 games a year ago and two others played extensively in at least 55 contests. Back this year are the leading hitter,
Jenny Brown (Omaha, Neb.), and pitcher,
Ashley Meyer (Rapid City, S.D.).
Six Vikings who earned All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference recognition in 2010 also return. They are Brown, Meyer, Witt Murray (Cottage Grove, Minn.),
Kelsey Kalkman (Carver, Minn.),
Chelsey Durland (Maple Plain, Minn.), and
Traci Fransen (Jackson, Minn.).
Still, the Vikings retain a young look with Fransen and
Mickey Anderson (Norfolk, Neb.) the only seniors on the roster.
“We have a lot of experience, but the conference and region we play in present a lot of challenges,” Melsted says. “Hopefully, the experience gained last year will inspire us to play hard each time we take the field.”
In 2010, Augustana won its first 13 games on the way to a 46-14 record. During the campaign Viking pitchers tossed 13 shutouts, including a string of three straight whitewashes.
Augustana claimed is first Northern Sun Conference championship, winning 23 of 26 league outings. Melsted was voted the conference coach of the year, and Meyer the league's newcomer of the year.
Meyer was the Vikings' ace. She was the winning pitcher in 20 of 27 starts and posted a 1.56 earned-run-average.
Brown debuted in the outfield a year ago and batted .386. She also led the team in hits (78), triples (3), and at-bats (202). Fransen begins her fourth season at third base. She batted .382 last spring and led the Vikings in RBI (66), home runs (15) and total bases (135).
Kalkman will be at second base for the third straight year. In 2010 she batted .335 and shared the team lead in doubles (16). Anderson, a right-handed pitcher, was 4-1 last season and batted .305. “Mickey has made unbelievable strides this summer and fall,” said Melsted.
Next up for the Vikings is the HuskyDome Classic hosted by St. Cloud State on Feb. 26 and 27.
The Desert Stinger Schedule (all times listed are central)
Feb. 11 - Western New Mexico, 2 p.m.
Feb. 11 - Chadron State, 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 12 - Montana State Billings, 2 p.m.
Feb. 12 - Fort Lewis, 7 p.m.
Feb. 12 - Adams State, 9:30 p.m.
