SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- With a 12-0 start in Northern Sun Conference action, the No. 12 Augustana softball team is ready for their toughest league test of the year. On Tuesday, the Vikings play host to No. 21 Winona State for a doubleheader at Bowden Field. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

More than halfway through the 2019 season, Augustana stands in first place in the league with a 32-5 (12-0 NSIC) record. The Vikings have won 13 straight games overall. Winona State is 27-5 (12-0 NSIC) with a 12-game win streak.

Tuesday also marks the start of an eight-game homestand at Bowden Field, which after a site reversal last weekend, proves to be 12 consecutive home games. This weekend, Augustana also takes on U-Mary, Minot State, and Sioux Falls next week.

The Vikings have one of the best home-field advantages in the NSIC, standing at 10-0 at home this season. Over the last six years, the Vikings won 86 percent of their contests (77-13) at home. This week, Augustana head coach Gretta Melstedalso has a chance for a major milestone. The 13th year head coach has 499 wins at Augustana.

The Vikings success this season starts with phenomenal depth both in the circle and up and down the lineup. In her last three outings, starters Ashley Mickschl has tossed three complete-games with 16 strikeouts and a .33 ERA. Equally impressive, last Sunday fellow Sophomore Amber Elliott twirled the Viking's second no-hitter of the year. Olivia Wolters has also been phenomenal this year, standing 6-0 with a 1.58 ERA.

The Augustana staff leads the league with 12 shutouts and a .184 opponent batting average. The Vikings team ERA of 1.56 ranks 8th in the nation for DII.

Over the last six games, a trio of seniors has come on strong for the Viking offense. Maggie Dunnett is hitting .450 (9-of-20) with eight RBI and two home runs. Shannon Petersen, who recently moved into second all-time for career home runs at Augustana, also has eight RBI over the last six games. Samantha Eisenreich has double-digit RBI and a .333 average in the last eight games for the Vikings. 

Augustana remains the league-leaders in numerous offensive categories, standing 1st in the NSIC and 17th in the nation with 6.7 runs per game. The Vikings slugging percentage (.523) is top-20 in the nation and second in the NSIC. Nine student-athletes have double-digit RBI this year, and five have four or more home runs. 

Scouting Winona State

A spot behind the Vikings in the standings, Winona State checks in at No. 21 in the nation with a 27-5 (12-0 NSIC) record. The Warriors are 4-1 in true road games this year. 

Winona State leads the league with a 1.30 ERA and 255 strikeouts this season. A pair of pitchers, Jordyn Kleman and Liz Pautz both have more than 100 strikeouts this season. Pautz leads the team and NSIC with 0.59 ERA in 71 innings pitched. Alison Nowak leads the team with a .481 average and 32 RBI this season. 

Although Winona State has won the last three matchups, Augustana holds an all-time 26-21 advantage against the Warriors.