SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana softball team has seen another pivot to its 2023 schedule with the doubleheader with Northwest Missouri State, scheduled for next week, has been moved ahead to Wednesday in Maryville, Missouri.
 
About the Bearcats
Northwest Missouri State currently holds a 13-9 record but has dropped four of its last five contests. Northwest Missouri State opened MIAA action this past weekend splitting with Fort Hays State and getting swept by Nebraska-Kearney.
 
Olivia Daugherty and Omara Love are each batting over .400 with a .441 and .438 average, respectively. Daugherty owns a 1.354 OPS aided by her eight home runs and five doubles as part of her 30 hits. She has also tallied 30 RBI. In the circle, Hayden Simmons leads the group with a 4-0 record and 1.48 ERA.
 
About the Vikings
Augustana has won four-straight games to move to 7-6 on the season. The four wins have come against Drury, Southwest Baptist and Missouri S&T, with a sweep of the Bearcats of Southwest Baptist.
 
Gracey Brink is putting together another All-America campaign as she is batting .447 with 17 hits, three doubles and three home runs. She has also debuted in left field this year, earning All-America honors last season at catcher, where she has three assists.
 
In addition to Brink, the bats are swung at a high rate of contact by four other Viking hitters including Liz Dierks (.385), Delaney Young (.350), Torri Chute (.341) and Abby Lien (.333).
 
Hailey Houston leads the pitching corps with a 3.13 ERA while holding a 2-1 record.
 
One Last Thing
Freshman Ashton Dorman is coming into her own nearly 15 games into the season as she was recently named the NSIC Player of the Week. She batted .500 last week while hitting two home runs and a double. In the win over Missouri S&T, she went 3-for-4.