SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Defending NCAA DII National Champions have added a big-time transfer. Augustana Softball head coach Gretta Melsted has announced the signing of Abby Lien, a transfer from the University of Iowa and Big Ten Conference. Lien is immediately eligible to suit up for the Vikings in 2021.

Melsted, who has known Abby for over a decade, is thrilled to have Lien join the Viking softball team

"I am really excited that Abby is joining the Augie Softball family," Melsted said. "She is a tremendous softball player who will help our program. She has a lot of pop in her bat and fits very well with our style of play. Playing in the Big 10, she will come to Augie with high-level softball experience. Abby's academic excellence and her personality and strong character fit very well with our program."

The Apple Valley, Minnesota, native comes to Sioux Falls following two strong seasons in Iowa City. Playing a majority of her games at catcher and as the DP, Lien appeared in 13 games this past season, hitting .304 with five RBIs and two doubles. Lein tied her career-high with two hits in a win against FGCU on Feb. 28.

As a true freshman for Iowa in 2019, Lien saw action in 49 games with 48 starts. She tied for the team lead with five home runs and finished second with a .421 slugging percentage and 18 runs scored. She collected a career-best three RBI in a win over UIC on March 8. 

A 2018 Miss Softball finalist, Abby helped Apple Valley to the 2015 Minnesota 3AAA State Champion. She was a four-time Most Valuable Offensive player and three-time All-state honoree. 

Abby's sister, Lindsay Spanton, was a four-year contributor for the Augustana softball team, starting 222 games from 2011-14. Spanton's 51 career doubles rank seventh all-time in program history.