SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Riding a nine-game win streak, the No. 12 Augustana softball team continues conference action this weekend at home. Due to field and weather conditions in Mankato and St. Paul, Minn., the games against Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul have been moved to Bowden Field. Starting on Saturday, Augustana now welcomes in Minnesota State for a pair of games (1 p.m. start) and closes the weekend by hosting Concordia St. Paul on Sunday for a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m.

Augustana enters the weekend with a 28-5, 8-0 NSIC record. Minnesota State (18-10, 3-5 NSIC) starts the weekend standing in 11th place in the NSIC, and Concordia St. Paul (18-10, 5-3 NSIC) sits in fifth. 

The Vikings are off to an impressive start in the conference season, picking up four consecutive series sweeps and standing as one-of-two unbeaten teams (Winona State). Most recently, the Vikings swept Southwest Minnesota State in back-to-back 7-1 games on Tuesday. 

Augustana success starts with a strong pitching staff. The Vikings lead the league with 213 strikeouts and 12 shutouts on the season. The Vikings have allowed just 48 earned runs in 215 total innings, and their 1.56 team ERA ranks 8th in the nation.

Individually, all three Viking pitchers have shown to be among the best in the league. Three Vikings rank in the top-five of earned run average with Olivia Wolters in third (1.48), Ashley Mickschl (1.58) in fourth, and Amber Elliott (1.62) in fifth. Mickschl leads the league in wins with 12.

From the plate, Augustana leads the league with 15 triples, including a program-record three vs. SMSU. Augustana has also clubbed an NSIC-best 57 double, which spots them 27th in the nation. The team batting average of .327 is third in the NSIC and 24th in the nation.

The Viking's rosters are getting contributions up and down the line, led by Maggie Kadrlik. The Senior leads the NSIC with 13 double, and checks in second with 33 RBI. Kara McDougall has had just 28 at-bats but leads the league with .500 average. As of late, Samantha Eisenreich has been on a tear, collecting 11 RBI in the last six games. Overall, 11 student-athletes are hitting above .300 and eight are slugging above .515.

Following the action the weekend, the next chance for Viking fans to catch Augustana at home will be Tuesday, April 9 for a doubleheader vs. Winona State.

Scouting Minnesota State

Following a sweep at the hands of Winona State, Minnesota State is off to an 18-10 (3-5 NSIC) start this season. The Mavericks are led by Emma Schifferle, who a team-high seven home runs and 25 RBI this year. From the circle, Mackenzie Ward has made 17 starts with a 9-8 record and 2.45 ERA. The Augustana and Minnesota State series history dates back more than 30 years, and the Vikings hold an all-time 68-52 advantage. A year ago, Augustana swept Minnesota State in a pair of games. 

Scouting Concordia St. Paul

The Golden Bears head into the weekend with 18 wins, including three in their last four games. Five student-athletes have double-digit RBI, but Justine Schattner leads the team from the plate. The senior has a team-high three home runs and 25 RBI. Samantha Sullivan leads the team with eight wins and a 2.14 ERA. With a win last year, the Golden Bears snapped a 21-game losing streak to the Vikings. All-time, Augustana is 31-7 vs. Concordia St. Paul.