WINTER HAVEN, FL -- Starting off play in the 2020 Spring Games, the No. 1 Augustana softball team split a pair of contests on Saturday afternoon. The Vikings opened the morning with a 4-1 win over Adelphi, and concluded with a 9-3 loss to Saginaw Valley State. The Vikings (9-3) take on Malone in a single game on Sunday afternoon. 

The highlight of game one was the Vikings ability to hit the long ball. Augustana connected on a season-high four home runs in the game-one win. The Vikings hit two more home runs in Saturday's second game.

Game One
Game one started with another phenomenal effort - both in the circle and at the plate - by Ashley Mickschl. The junior pitched three innings of no-hit softball while also connecting on two home runs to help Augustana build a lead. 

The Viking Power started from the game's first batter, Mary Pardo. The sophomore came in swinging, blasting the third pitch of the game over the centerfield fence for a 1-0 Vikings lead.

The Augustana offense went back to work in the third. Mickschl led off the inning with a solo home run, and moments later, Kendall Cornick connected on her first home run of the year. The duo marked the first time the Vikings hit back-to-back home runs this year. 

In the fourth, Mickschl tied her career-high with her second home run and finished the day 2-3 with two RBI. The All-American allowed one hit in the fourth, but finished the game with five innings pitched, five strikeouts and zero runs. Ashley is now 6-0 on the year.

Amber Elliott came into pitch the final two innings, allowing one run and striking out two. Christina Pickett also had a pair of hits, including a double, for the Vikings in game one.

Game Two
The visiting Hawks got off to a fast start in game two, connecting on four hits and four runs in the first two frames. Although Augie was able to collect an RBI on a Kara McDougall sac-fly, the Vikings still trailed 4-1 after the second.

Cornick continued her strong Spring Games with a solo home run in the 3rd, but the Vikings still trailed by two heading in to the fifth. Cornick finished with two hits and two home runs on the day. 

The Augustana power surge continued in the sixth, but this time it was a freshman making the noise. Torri Chute lined a 2-2 pitch over the center field fence, rounding the bases for her first-career home run. The solo shot made it a 4-3 game, but that's as close as the Viking could get on Saturday.

Mickschl (6-1) got the start in game two, tossing two innings for the Vikings. Elliott came in relief, pitching just over three frames and racking up six strikeouts. 

Augustana, who was previously scheduled to play West Chester on Sunday, will play Malone University at 12:15 p.m.