BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Augustana softball team has been tabbed as the NSIC preseason favorite in the Preseason Coaches' Poll for the second-consecutive season the conference announced Friday. In the same announcement, senior Ashley Mickschl has been tabbed as the NSIC Preseason Pitcher of the Year for the second-straight year.
 
Augustana, the still defending National Champions, concluded the shortened 2020 season ranked No. 4 in the nation and tallied a 16-3 overall record. The Vikings return all but three players that saw action last season including Mickschl, an All-American in the circle.
 
"I am excited about this year's team," head coach Gretta Melsted said in the release.  "They are an amazing group of women who work hard and uphold the traditions and culture of Augustana softball. I love their coachability and how they take care of one another both on and off the field."
 
Mickschl, hailing from Woodbury, Minnesota, tallied a 1.45 ERA and 71 strikeouts in the 2020 season, recording an 11-1 record. Previously, she was the NCAA National Championship Most Outstanding Player while earning All-America accolades on the 2019 National Champion squad. That season, she tallied a 32-6 record with a. 1.82 ERA over 43 appearances.
 
Senior Kendall Cornick was tabbed the Vikings hitter to watch after hitting .365 over the 19-game 2020 season. She totaled 14 RBI and three home runs while leading the Vikings with eight stolen bases. The Mason City, Iowa, native, led the Vikings with 31 stolen bases in 2019 and ranked second in the nation with 74 runs scored. She finished the season with 36 RBI and 109 total bases while earning All-NSIC honors.
 
Augustana opens the 2021 season Feb. 12 at the UT Tyler Irwin Invitational for the first of six games at the invite. The Vikings open NSIC action March 30 and make their home debut on April 7.

Full NSIC Poll

Rank	School	Points
1	Augustana (12)	222
2	Winona State (3)	210
3	Minnesota State	194
4	St. Cloud State	180
5	Minnesota Duluth	161
6	Concordia-St. Paul	150
7	Northern State	146
8	Minot State	122
9	Sioux Falls	120
10	Southwest Minnesota State	94
11	UMary	85
12	Bemidji State	65
13	Upper Iowa	61
14	Minnesota Crookston	46
15	Wayne State	36
16	MSU Moorhead	28