SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana University softball will look to build on its nine-game winning streak with a big Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader Tuesday at Bowden Field. The Vikings (30-10, 15-3 NSIC) host Winona State (34-8, 16-2 NSIC) with a chance to move up in the NSIC standings. First pitch in Tuesday's doubleheader is set for 3 p.m.
 
Winona State enters the week tied for first in the conference standings with Minnesota State at 16-2 in NSIC play. The Vikings are just one game behind at 15-3.
 
The Vikings enter the week as the top offensive team in the NSIC. Augustana leads the league in team batting average (.345) and home runs (32) while ranking second in doubles (66) and third in runs scored (247).
 
Senior shortstop Sarah Kennedy is coming off of another big week for the Vikings and currently leads the NSIC in multiple offensive categories. Kennedy leads the league with 22 doubles is three shy of tying her single season record of 25 which she set as a sophomore in 2015. She also leads the league in batting average (.526), hits (71), RBI (46), home runs (12) and total bases (131).
 
Augustana's pitching staff ranks third in the NSIC with a 2.45 ERA in 40 games this season. The Viking staff has held its opponents to a .247 batting average in 266 innings of work. Lexy Pederson is 15-4 in the circle on the season with a 1.68 ERA. Pederson has tossed 12 complete games while striking out 76 batters in 116.2 innings pitched.
 
Freshman right-hander Olivia Wolters has made a team-high 25 appearances in 2017 and owns a 2.73 ERA and a 13-5 record in the circle. Wolters has tossed 11 complete games and has struck out 88 batters in 112.2 innings pitched.
 
Tuesday's doubleheader will pit the Vikings against the Warriors for the 44th and 45th time since the two teams first met in 1994. Augustana is 25-18 all-time against Winona State and is 9-3 all-time against the Warriors at Bowden Field.
 
Winona State was handed its first two losses of the conference season in a doubleheader at Minnesota State, Mankato on April 11. The Warriors bounced back with four straight wins at home, including sweeps over Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State. WSU is batting .342 as a team with 63 doubles, 12 triples and 19 home runs.
 
Alison Novak leads WSU at the plate batting .519 with four doubles and three home runs. McKenna Larsen leads the Warriors' pitching staff with a 0.84 ERA and a 16-3 record on the season.
 
After hosting Winona State on Tuesday, Augustana will hit the road for doubleheaders at Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State April 22 and 23.