SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana softball head coach Gretta Melsted has announced the signings of three student-athletes for the 2022-23 academic year. Joining the Vikings are Ashton Dorman, Haley Grimmius and Helene Krage.
 
"I am very excited to welcome the next class to the Augustana Softball program," Melsted, the 2021 NSIC and Central Region Coach of the Year, said. "This is a small class but an extremely talented group that will make an immediate impact on our program.
 
"They continue the tradition and standards of Augustana athletics and the values of strong character, high academic ability and high athletic ability."
 
Ashton Dorman | Catcher | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Lincoln HS
Coach Melsted on Dorman: "Ashton is one of the best catchers I have seen at the youth level. Defensively, she plays at an extremely high level. Her ability to throw runners out and pick runners off base is outstanding as she is a master of controlling the running game. In addition, Ashton has power at the plate and can play other defensive positions when not catching. I am thrilled Ashton chose to continue her career at Augie." 
 
At the prep level, Dorman is a two-time state champion (2019 and 2021) at the AA level and was runner-up in 2020 while serving as a team captain. In travel ball, she was a state champion and earned a Top-8 finish at the Tulsa Elite Invite in 2021. She finished the 2021 travel season with 11 doubles, five home runs and 41 RBI. While playing travel softball, she was a teammate of signee Haley Grimmius, and rejoins teammates Liz Dierks and Andrea Cain.
 
Haley Grimmius | Pitcher/Infield | Worthington, Minn. | Worthington HS
Coach Melsted on Grimmius: "Haley will be a great combo athlete for us.  She can hit, pitch, and play first base.  She is an extremely versatile player.  She will primarily be a hitter and first baseman for us but will also find time in the circle.  Haley can flat out "swing it" and has incredible power which will only increase as she grows in our system.  She will continue the tradition of power hitters in our program.  I am excited to see what she can do at this level."
 
During her junior season, Grimmius owned an average of .646 at the plate while tallying 42 hits, 12 doubles and six home runs. In the circle, she owned an ERA of 1.56 while pitching 148 innings while striking out 270 hitters. She was selected as a Top-35 underclassmen Softball Player in Minnesota by Breakdown Sports USA while earning First Team All-State accolades along with All-District and All-Section honors.
 
Helene Krage | Pitcher | Lino Lakes, Minn. | Centennial HS
Coach Melsted on Krage: "Helene will make an immediate impact in the circle.  She has proven her dominance both at the high school and travel ball level and will transition well to the collegiate level.  She has great presence on the mound and is a fierce competitor yet at the same time it is visibly apparent how much joy and fun she has pitching and playing the game of softball.  It is fun to watch and will bring our faithful Augie fans much joy." 
 
In her junior season, Krage tallied a 13-2 record with a 1.23 ERA while accumulating 143 strikeouts in 107.2 innings pitched. She held opponents to a .184 batting average while earning First Team All-State honors along with Second Team All-Metro and First Team All-Conference accolades.