SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Highlighted by 14 games at Bowden Field and a return trip to Denver, Colorado, Augustana Softball has officially unveiled its 2020 schedule. The defending DII National Champions will play a minimum of 45 games across eight states, starting in late January and running until May. 

Augustana head coach Gretta Melsted is looking forward to this year and the chance to get back on the diamond.

"We are very excited for the upcoming softball season," Melsted said. "We have the majority of our national championship team returning and are excited about the possibilities this spring."
 
For the second-straight season, Augustana starts the season in Houston, Texas, at the Arkansas Tech Winter Invitational. The Vikings season-opener will feature a 10 a.m. first pitch on Jan. 31 vs. Cameron. During its time in Texas, Augustana will also square up with Texas Women's, Angelo State, Saint Mary's, Texas A&M Commerce and Tarleton State.  

Following a week back in Sioux Falls, Augustana returns to the site of the DII National Championship, the Regency Athletic Complex at Metro State University Denver. The Vikings will play a four-game set in the Mile High City, starting with Metro State (DH, Feb, 14) and Colorado School of Mines (DH, Feb. 15).

Augustana will spend their 2020 spring break (Mar. 7-14) on the road, playing a spring tournament with location and times to be announced. Augustana's Missouri Western Tournament (Mar. 20-22) is locked in for St. Joseph's, Missouri, but opponents and times are also to be determined. 

Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play starts at the end of March with six-straight road games. Augustana opens conference play with Wayne State on March 24, before heading to St. Cloud State (March 28) and Minnesota Duluth (March 29).

The Viking home opener is slated for Wednesday, April 1 against Southwest Minnesota State. The doubleheader starts at 3 p.m. at Bowden. The start of a six-game homestand, Augustana will also take on Concordia-St. Paul (April 4) and Minnesota State (April 5) while in Sioux Falls. 

Following a 10-day road trip around the upper midwest, Augustana returns home for a weekend home series with MSU Moorhead (April 18) and Northern State (April 19). Augustana takes on Upper Iowa for a mid-week set (April 22), and closes out the regular season against Bemidji State (April 25) and Minnesota Crookston ( April 26). All NSIC games are scheduled as doubleheaders. 

Postseason play starts with the 2020 NSIC Softball Championship, which will be held April 30-May 2 at the Rochester Youth Fastpitch Softball Association Complex in Rochester, Minnesota, The following week kicks off the NCAA Central Regional (top two seeds host), with the winner advancing to a Super Regional May 15-16. Eight regional champions will participate in the NCAA DII Championship, starting May 21 at Frost Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Fans can follow Augustana Softball all season long on facebook and twitter.