SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – No. 1 seed Augustana softball used a fast start scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning in a 4-2 win over No. 8 seed East Central University (32-15) in the first round of the NCAA Central Region 1 Tournament. The Vikings improved to 51-9 on the season and will now play No. 4 seed University of Central Oklahoma at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Bowden Field.
 
Jenelle Trautmann (30-3) tossed a complete game gem for the Vikings, holding ECU to just two runs on five hits. After a hit in the top of the first inning, Trautmann held the Tigers hitless until the sixth inning. With the victory, Trautmann became just the fifth player in program history to win 30 games in a season in the circle.
 
The Vikings chased ECU starting pitcher Lacey Paulk (10-3) after just one inning, tagging her for three runs in the bottom of the first inning.
 
Augustana scored all of its first-inning runs with two outs. Sarah Kennedy and Trautmann started the two-out rally with back-to-back singles. Carly Peterson made it three in a row delivering a sharp single up the middle that scored Kennedy to put Augustana up 1-0. Jordan Schaffer followed with a two-RBI double to clear the bases and give her team a 3-0 lead.
 
After the three-run first, both pitchers dug in and kept both teams off the board until the fifth inning. Marissa Shaffer replaced Paulk in the circle for East Central and she held Augustana to just one run on two hits.
 
Trautmann struck out seven of her 11 batters in the first four inning, including striking out the side in the top of the fourth. The Vikings extended their lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth when Kennedy connected on her 17th home run of the season. She finished the game 2 for 3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Kennedy's home run marked the 81st of the season for Augustana as a team, setting a new single season team record.
 
After being held to just one hit through five innings, East Central picked up two in the top of the sixth but left one runner on after Schaffer picked-off a runner at first base to end the inning and keep the Tigers off the board.
 
The Tigers finally broke through in the top of the seventh on a two-run home run by Samantha McGraw that scored Lauren Reeves, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, cutting Augustana's lead in half at 4-2. East Central picked up a third hit in the inning, a single by Kaile Marcum but Trautmann struck out her 11th batter of the game to end the threat and the game.
 
Augustana advances in the Central Region 1 Tournament to take on the University of Central Oklahoma at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Bowden Field. Central Oklahoma defeated No. 5 seed Winona State 4-1 to advance. Winona State and East Central University will play at 1:30 p.m. at Bowden Field.