SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The nation's No. 1 team will take to Bowden Field for the first time in 717 days on Saturday when Augustana hosts Concordia-St. Paul in a doubleheader. The Vikings then welcome No. 20 Minnesota State on Sunday in a nationally-ranked showdown.
 
The doubleheaders begin at noon each day at Bowden Field.
 
Augustana, the newly minted No. 1 in the NFCA Top-25 poll, is 17-3 on the season while holding a 5-1 mark in NSIC action. The Vikings have won 14 of their last 15 games including a sweep over Minnesota Duluth last time out by scores of 9-2 and 8-0.
 
In compliance with Augustana's COVID-19 protocols, attendance for the games will be open to the public with a limited capacity. All spectators must wear a mask unless actively eating or drinking. In addition, fans are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to help support physical distancing. The full spectator policy can be found here. 
 
About the Vikings
Augustana is 17-3 on the season and holds a 5-1 record within NSIC action. Kendall Cornick, the NSIC's leader in hits, leads the team with a .500 average while Mary Pardo gained the team lead in home runs with six after she tallied three over the last weekend.
 
Torri Chute is third in the conference with her 24 RBI. She also leads the nation with six sacrifice flies in 2021.
 
Amber Elliott leads the Vikings in the circle with a 9-1 record and owns 57 strikeouts in 60.1 innings pitched. Ashley Mickschl is 8-2 overall and has tallied 45 strikeouts in 65.1 innings pitched. The duo is part of a pitching staff that ranks fourth in the NSIC with a 2.81 ERA
 
About the Golden Bears
Concordia-St. Paul enters as the only unbeaten team in the NSIC with a 6-0 record while holding a 12-8 overall mark. Last time out, the Golden Bears swept Upper Iowa by scores of 5-4 and 8-1.
 
Grace Beseman leads the team with a .413 batting average and 26 hits. Among those 26 hits, she has totaled a team-best six home runs, four doubles and 22 RBI. Proving to be the team leader, she also leads the team with a perfect 7-for-7 on stolen bases.
 
CSP throws two pitchers with a 5-3 record led by Bryanna Olson and her 2.22 ERA. Olson has started six games and made 11 appearances over 47.1 innings pitched while striking out 50. Kali Kaestner owns a 2.55 ERA and has struck out 41 hitters in 46.2 innings pitched.
 
About the Mavericks
Ranked No. 20 in the latest NFCA poll, Minnesota State enters the weekend with a 15-4 overall record while holding a 4-2 mark in the NSIC. After going 2-2 last weekend, the Mavericks swept then No. 13 Winona State on Tuesday by scores of 3-1 and 11-2.
 
Torey Richards leads the team with a .468 batting average but it is Hannah McCarville who leads the team with 20 RBI. She has tallied that off 21 hits, six doubles and three home runs.
 
In the circle, Mackenzie Ward is 9-2 and owns a 1.02 ERA, easily an NSIC best. She also leads the league with 124 strikeouts in 68.2 innings pitched. McKayla Arbruster owns a 6-1 record and a 1.64 ERA.
 
Up Next
The Vikings will host Southwest Minnesota State on Tuesday with a doubleheader beginning at noon. The contests are being played on Tuesday after the postponement from this past Wednesday.