MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- In the middle of an American League pennant race, the Minnesota Twins took a pregame moment to recognize Augustana Softball and their 2019 DII National Championship. The event culminated in head coach Gretta Meslted throwing out the first pitch in front of a near sold-out crowd at Target Field. 



Coach Melsted called the moment a once-in-a-lifetime experience for her and the team.

"It's such an honor to be able to step on the Minnesota Twins field and throw out the first pitch," Melsted said. "It's a really special night for our program and a once-in-a-lifetime experience that my kids and I will never forget."

With the entire Viking softball team on the field pregame, the Minnesota Twins first played a video from the National Championship game before introducing every member on the video board. Gretta Melsted then took the field, delivering a strong strike right down the middle for the ceremonial first pitch. 

This is the third time in the last five years that an Augustana head coach has thrown out the first pitch. In 2016, Viking men's basketball coach Tom Billeter threw out the first pitch and last year, Viking baseball coach Tim Huber did the honors. 

The Minnesota Twins fell to Cleveland on Friday night. The two sides are now tied in the AL Central divisional race.