SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana University softball (10-6) returns to action this weekend (March 17-19) with six games at the Missouri Western State University Hy-Vee Classic in St. Joseph, Missouri. The Vikings will play all six games at the Heritage Park Softball Complex.
 
Augustana opens with trip on Friday, March 17 taking on Central Oklahoma (13-3) at 12 p.m. before squaring-off against Missouri Southern State (9-16) at 4 p.m.
 
The Vikings will play Fort Hays State (8-12) at 10 a.m. on Saturday followed by Washburn (11-18) at 2 p.m. Augustana will close-out the trip on Sunday against Central Missouri (7-14) at 11 a.m. and Pittsburg State (17-7) at 3 p.m.
 
Augustana is coming off of a seven-game spring trip in Florida. The Vikings went 5-2 on the week, winning five straight games after dropping its first two on Sunday. After having two games canceled on Tuesday, Augustana reeled-off five straight wins to improve to 10-6 on the year.
 
Gretta Melsted, in her 11th season at Augustana, owns a career record of 476-276, including 395-183 as the Vikings' head coach. Melsted is just five wins shy of her 400th career win at Augustana and 24 shy of 500 for her career.
 
Following the Missouri Western State Hy-Vee Classic, Augustana will open NSIC play on Tuesday, March 28, hosting Wayne State at Bowden Field.