SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The No. 13 Augustana softball team opens the 2023 season at the Division II Spring Invitational Kickoff in Conroe, Texas. The event takes place just outside of Houston at the Scrapyard Complex. The event begins Thursday with two games and continues with a pair of games Friday. The finale is two games on Saturday including a contest with No. 3 UT Tyler.
 
Although there is no live stream of the tournament, five of the six games are slated to have live stats available. For complete coverage, head to GoAugie.com/Live on gameday.
 
The Competition
Texas A&M International | Thursday, 1:15 p.m.
A member of the Lone Star Conference, the Dustdevils were tabbed 11^th in the preseason coaches' poll. Texas A&M International went 16-35 in 2022.
 
Cal Poly Humboldt | Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
A member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), the Lumberjacks were picked 10^th in the CCAA preseason coaches' poll. Cal Poly Humboldt went 14-39 a year ago.
 
Oklahoma Christian | Friday, 11 a.m.
The Eagles play in the Lone Star Conference and were tabbed fifth in the preseason poll with a first-place vote. Last year, Oklahoma Christian played to a 39-15 record including a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
 
St. Mary's | Friday, 3:30 p.m.
The Rattlers continue the trend of Lone Star Conference opponents for AU. St. Mary's, who earned a record of 38-19 last season, was picked seventh in the preseason poll. The Rattlers also participated in the NCAA Tournament last season.
 
St. Edward's | Saturday, 11 a.m.
A member of the Lone Star Conference, the Hilltoppers are coming off an 18-27 season in 2022. In 2023, St. Edwards earned a record of 18-27.
 
No. 3 UT Tyler | Saturday, 1:15 p.m.
The Patriots are No. 3 in the NFCA poll and were picked to win the Lone Star Conference for the third-straight year and are coming off a trip to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Softball Championship. The Patriots played to a 49-9 record in 2022.
 
About the Vikings
Augustana was picked to win the NSIC for the third-straight season after compiling 50 wins in 2022. Augustana returns a pair of All-America honorees from a season ago and five First Team All-NSIC student-athletes. Among the returners is Gracey Brink who led Augustana with a .422 batting average with nine home runs, four triples and nine doubles. She earned All-America honors following the season.
 
The other All-America returner is Torri Chute who belted 12 home runs and 16 doubles while batting .400. She held an OPS of 1.234 and an on-base percentage of .516.
 
Augustana welcomes four newcomers and two redshirt freshmen to its core of 10 returners with playing time last season.
 
One Last Thing
The 50 games won by last year's squad were the second most in NCAA Division II, tied with Texas A&M – Kingsville and behind only the national champion, Rogers State. The 50 wins in a season marked the fifth time in head coach Gretta Melsted's career that an Augustana team reached the 50-win plateau.