SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Riding a 12-game win streak, the No. 14 Augustana softball team (44-7, 24-2 NSIC) is ready close down their Northern Sun Conference regular-season schedule. The Vikings play a pair of doubleheaders this weekend, starting at 2 p.m. Friday in Crookston, Minnesota. Augustana visits Bemidji State on Saturday for a noon start at the BSU softball field.

The Vikings are first in the country with 44 wins, but stand two games behind Winona State in the NSIC standings. Augustana has secured a minimum of the 2nd seed in the NSIC tournament, which begins May 2, in Rochester, Minn. 

In the latest NCAA central region rankings, Augustana is third behind Central Oklahoma and Winona State. Eight teams will make the NCAA tournament in the central region, and the top two programs will host. Augustana has made back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances and participated in the central region tournament eight of the last nine seasons. This year's NCAA regional tournament takes place on May 9-11.

The Viking's head in the final weekend of the regular season standing as one of the best offensive teams in the country. The Vikings are first in the NSIC and fifth in the nation in both team batting average (.354) and slugging percentage (.581). Augustana's 7.4 runs per game also lead the NSIC and stand seventh in the country.

Individually, the Vikings are one of three teams in the nation with two players with 50 or more RBI this season. Shannon Petersen is 10th in the nation with 54 runs driven in, and Maggie Kadrlik is top-15 with 52 RBI. Kadrlik has been on a tear as of late - over her last five games, she is hitting .733 (11-of-15) and has 11 RBI and three home runs. Kendall Cornick has also been impressive, standing 8th in the nation in runs scored per game at 1.22.

Augustana has also had tremendous success from the circle, standing among the nation's best in multiple categories. The Viking's team ERA of 1.73 is second in the NSIC and ninth in the nation. Augustana has collected 16 shutouts this season, which also rank among the top-10 in DII as well as lead the NSIC.

All three Viking pitchers have been outstanding. Olivia Wolters leads the NSIC with a 3.94 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and Amber Elliott 33rd is the nation with 7.9 strikeouts per seven innings. Ashley Mickschl is the Viking workhorse, leading the team in wins (21) innings pitched (147), complete games (17) and shutouts (6).

With 44 wins, Augustana has already surpassed their win total from a season ago, and with a pair of wins, this weekend will have the most conference victories since 2015 (28-2). 

Scouting Minnesota Crookston:

The Golden Eagles come into the final weekend of the NSIC regular season with a 13-37 (2-24 NSIC) record. Minnesota Crookston has lost 15 straight games and is just 1-5 at home this season. UMC is led by Mikaela Rodriguez, who has played and started in all 50 games this season. Rodriguez leads the team with nine home runs and 25 RBI. Pitcher Paige Pitlick has a team-high six wins on the season. Augustana is 20-0 all-time vs. Minnesota Crookston.

Scouting Bemidji State:

The Beavers of Bemidji State are 22-28 (5-21 NSIC) this season and looks to snap a 14-game losing streak this weekend. Jessica Burlingame leads the team with a .392 average, seven home runs, and 33 RBI. Stephi Dullum has a team-high nine wins and a 3.23 ERA to pace the pitching staff. The Vikings are 22-1 all-time against Bemidji State, including 6-0 on the road.