SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- After starting Northern Sun Conference action with a win for the seventh straight season, No. 14 Augustana softball (22-5, 2-0 NSIC) now looks to build on their success. The Vikings take on a pair of opponents in doubleheaders this weekend, starting with a 12 p.m. contest vs. Minnesota Duluth on Saturday. Augustana closes the weekend with a 12 p.m. first pitch against St. Cloud State on Sunday. Both games will be played at Bowden Field with game two set to start at 2 p.m.

Over the last five years, Augustana has racked up one of the best home-field advantages in the NSIC. The Vikings have only lost 13 games at Bowden Field and have won 84 percent of their contests (67-13). 

On Wednesday, the Vikings opened NSIC action with a pair of near-perfect starts. In the two-game series, Augustana racked up 14 runs, allowed 0 runs, and scattered just three hits. Ashley Mickschl pitched five shutout innings in game one, and Amber Elliott and Olivia Wolters combined for the shutout in game two. 

Offensively, Samantha Eisenreich and Shannon Petersen provided the offense, both clubbing home runs in the win. Maggie Kadrlik collected multiple RBI in game two, but it was Eisenreich who finished with two home runs and four RBI.

27 games into the season, Augustana remains among the league and national leaders in multiple categories. With all three pitchers maintaining an ERA below 1.8, the Viking's team ERA of 1.48 ranks 10th in the nation for DII. The Vikings have collected shutouts in 11 games (40 percent) of their games this year, which is tied for fourth in the country. 

Offensively, the Vikings lead the league with 159 RBI (5.8 per game), 24 home runs, and their .505 slugging percentage is second in the NSIC and 24th in the nation. 12 student-athletes are hitting above .300 this season, led by Maggie Kadrlik at .380. Kadrlik also leads the team with 28 RBI this season, and both Petersen (27) and Mickschl (20) have driven in 20 or more runs this season. Kadrlik and Peterson stand second and third in the conference in RBI, respectively.  

The Vikings are running the bases extremely well, with three players already collecting 11 or more stolen bases. Augustana is 60-of-66 in stolen bases in just 27 games. Kendall Cornick and Mary Pardo are tied for first in the NSIC with 27 runs scored. 

Scouting Minnesota Duluth 
The Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth come into Saturday with an 11-10 (2-0 NSIC) record. In four games against ranked teams this season, Minnesota Duluth is 0-4. UMD stands 6th in the NSIC in team ERA, checking in at 2.86. From the dish, the team is batting .257 with a .400 slugging percentage.

Individually, the Bulldogs ace is Sam Pederson who checks in with a 6-3 record and 2.29 in 11 starts this season. Jordan Thomas has played and started in all 21 games this year, and leads the team with 4 home runs and 16 RBI.

Scouting St. Cloud State 
Leading the league in batting average (.345) and slugging percentage (.520) St. Cloud State enters Saturday as a strong offensive unit. At 18-8 (2-0 NSIC), the Huskies also maintain a 1.95 ERA, ranking third in the NSIC. Jasmin Estrada leads the lead with 32 RBI while hitting .442. 

The Huskies are coached by longtime coach Paula U'Ren, who is one of the most decorated players in Augustana history. Inducted into the Viking Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014, U'Ren was a three-time All-Region, All-NCC and NCAA Division II All-American selection. U'Ren recently won her 700th career game at St. Cloud.