BOX SCORE

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Sophomore shortstop Sarah Kennedy hit a three-run home run in the top of the first inning and that would be all No. 24 Augustana softball would need in a 3-0 win over Missouri Southern State (5-19) on Sunday afternoon. The win improved Augustana's record to 19-5 on the season as the Vikings finished 5-1 on the weekend at the Missouri Western Tournament.
 
Carley Pickett earned the complete game shutout victory for the Vikings to improve to 4-3 on the season. Pickett struck out a career-high 11 batters, holding the Lions to just two hits on the afternoon. Pickett also went 2 for 3 at the plate with a run scored.
 
Kennedy finished the game 2 for 3 with three RBI, hitting her third home run of the season. Jenelle Trautmann also went 2 for 2 while Kylie Rome finished 2 for 3 with a double.
 
Caitlin Nichol led off the bottom of the first inning with a single up the middle and Pickett followed with a bunt single to put two runners on for Kennedy. Kennedy then hit her third home run of the season to give Augustana a 3-0 lead, which it would hold for the remainder of the game.
 
Pickett tossed a gem, holding Missouri Southern hitless through four innings, striking out seven of her 11 batters in the first four innings including striking out the side in the fourth.
 
Missouri Southern got leadoff singles in the fifth and sixth innings but Pickett didn't allow a runner past second base.
 
Augustana returns to Sioux Falls for a six-game homestand that starts on Wednesday, March 25. The Vikings will open its home schedule and NSIC play taking on Wayne State in a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. at Bowden Field.