SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Practice has started and a schedule has been set for the Augustana softball team. The Vikings, the still defending national champions, will embark on a 42 game schedule in 2021. The schedule has 12 nonconference games and 30 NSIC contests spread out from February to May.
 
The season opens in just a few short weeks at the University of Texas – Tyler Irwin Invitational for six contests. The Vikings face Southeastern Oklahoma State and A&M Commerce on Feb. 12. The Lions of Commerce ended last season's shortened season ranked No. 10 in the NFCA poll.
 
The following day, Augustana will face Montevallo and have a rematch with A&M – Commerce.
 
The invitational wraps up on Feb. 14 with the Vikings facing Texas Woman's and the host UT-Tyler. Tyler concluded the 2020 season ranked No. 5 in the poll, one spot behind Augustana.
 
Augustana then takes a small break in the action before heading to St. Joseph, Missouri, for the MWSU Classic March 19-20. Augustana will face Rogers State and Northwest Missouri State on the classic's first day. The following day, the Vikings face Central Missouri and Emporia State.
 
Staying south and in the state of Missouri, Augustana concludes nonconference action at Missouri Southern for a doubleheader on March 22.
 
NSIC action kicks off on March 30 at Wayne State followed by a road trip to Northern Minnesota for St. Cloud State (April 2) and Minnesota Duluth (April 3).
 
The highly-anticipated return to Bowden Field is set for April 7 when the Vikings host Southwest Minnesota State. It will be the first home game played since winning the 2019 NCAA Division II National Championship.
 
The home slate continues with Concordia-St. Paul and Minnesota State on April 10 and 11, respectively.
 
Augustana then embarks on an eight-game, four-city, road trip. The trip begins at Winona State on April 13 then moves to northern North Dakota on April 17 at Minot State. The next day, the Vikings face UMary in Bismarck, North Dakota.
 
The road trip concludes on April 21 as the Vikings head to Sherman Park to face Sioux Falls in a doubleheader.
 
Augustana returns to the friendly confines of Bowden Field on April 24 hosting MSU Moorhead followed by a visit from Northern State on the 25^th.
 
The final regular-season road trip is a mid-week tilt at Upper Iowa on April 27.
 
The Vikings conclude the regular season hosting Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston on May 1 and 2, respectively.
 
The NSIC Tournament is slated for May 6-8 at a site to be determined.