SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – After a month of not having any games, the Augustana softball team will embark on a week-long excursion through Missouri to play 10 games over five game dates. The Viking will open with the Drury Invitational before playing three-straight doubleheaders.
 
First pitch of the Drury Invitational is slated for Saturday at 10 a.m. against Nebraska Kearney. Later that day, the Vikings will tangle with No. 9 Central Oklahoma in a game between two postseason rivals. The Drury Invitational concludes Sunday with AU facing Northeastern State and host Drury at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectfully.
 
Augustana then travels to Bolivar, Missouri, on Tuesday to face Southwest Baptist, Rolla, Missouri, on Wednesday to face Missouri S&T, and Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday to compete with Rockhurst.
 
Not all of the games will have live stats or live video, but fans are encouraged to visit GoAugie.com/Live for the most up-to-date opportunities to follow Viking softball live over the games.
 
Nebraska Kearney | Saturday, 10 a.m.
The Lopers enter the weekend with a 7-11 record and are coming off losses at the Washburn Invite last week to St. Cloud State, 9-4, and Minnesota Crookston, 10-4. Avery Wood is the top hitting with a .435 average, including three home runs. The top pitcher is Sydney Thomason who is 3-1 with a 4.11 ERA.
 
Central Oklahoma | Saturday, 4 p.m.
The Bronchos are winners of four-straight games while owning a 10-3 record. They are led by Emily Deramus in the batter's box with her .429 average with 16 RBI and four home runs. In the circle, Jordyn Pipkin with her 2.53 ERA in four starts and seven total appearances.
 
Northeastern State | Sunday, 1:30 p.m.
The RiverHawks own an 11-5 record in 2023 including a four-game sweep of their own NSU Cherokee Nation Festival last weekend. Savannah Evans leads the team with a .405 batting average but it's Chloe Bohuslavicky that ranks third in the nation with nine home runs. In the circle, Madison Heinle is 5-2 with a 2.26 ERA.
 
Drury | Sunday 5:30 p.m.
The host Panthers have won five-straight games to even their record at 9-9 in 2023. Sophia Luetticke is the only Panther batting over .300 as she owns a .357 average with a.524 slugging percentage. Drury's ace is Kristina Bettis as she is 5-5 with a 3.26 ERA with 74 strikeouts in just 58 innings pitched.
 
Southwest Baptist | Tuesday, 3/5 p.m.
The Bearcats are 5-9 entering the weekend but will play four games in the MIAA/GLVC Crossover prior to facing the Vikings. Shalie Wooden is the top hitter with her .407 average while Jenna Daggett is 3-2 in the circle with a 5.55 ERA.
 
Missouri S&T | Wednesday, 1/3 p.m.
The Miners hold a 7-5 record this season but will play five games as part of the MIAA/GLVC crossover prior to facing AU on Wednesday. Bryn Wooldridge owns a 1.050 OPS while batting at a .444 clip to lead S&T. On the flip side, Wooldridge is the top pitcher for the Miners as well, as she has thrown to a 2.51 ERA while holding a 4-2 record.
 
Rockhurst | Thursday, 2/4 p.m.
The Hawks hold a 3-6 mark in 2023 but have hit a three-game skid prior to entering the Lion Classic this coming weekend. Before facing the Vikings, Rockhurst plays Northwest Missouri State, Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State (twice) as part of the Lion Classic. Bailey McGovern bats at a .348 clip while Maya Gallagher is just behind at .346 to lead the Hawks. In the circle, Anna Newcomer is 2-2 with a 3.63 ERA.
 
The Vikings
Augustana opened its season Feb. 2-4 at the DII Spring Invitational Kickoff in Conroe, Texas with a 2-4 record. Though deceiving, three of those losses were by two runs or less including a 3-2 walk-off loss to No. 3 UT Tyler.
 
Liz Dierks had a strong start to her sophomore campaign by batting .389 with seven hist and scoring four runs. Kennedy Buckman, who showed her power promise as a sophomore last season, knocked two home runs over the six games as part of her 1.088 OPS.
 
The contests in Texas saw Hailey Houston pick up her first career win in the circle while Lexi Lander got her first win in a Vikings uniform. Houston struck out 12 hitters in 15.2 innings pitched and gave up just five earned runs in her four appearances.
 
One Last Thing
All-America honoree Gracey Brink is ranked 29^th in NCAA Division I with her 0.83 walks per game. A year ago, Brink held a .422 batting average to lead the Vikings while slugging at a .721 clip.