SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana softball team will head south to Topeka, Kansas, for a six-game tournament hosted by Washburn. Five of the six games are against MIAA opponents with the sixth against an GLVC foe. Games get underway Friday with a pair of games, with two more scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
 
Action on Friday begins at 10 a.m. against Missouri Western followed by a 2 p.m. game against No. 18 Pittsburg State. Saturday will have Augustana face Emporia State at 10 a.m. and Maryville at 2 p.m. Sunday's games conclude with a 10 a.m. game against Northwest Missouri State and a 2 p.m. game against host Washburn.
 
Live stats will be available for the games with Pittsburg State and Washburn, with the possibility of more being added. Stay tuned to the AU softball schedule at GoAugie.com for any additional links.
 
Missouri Western
Current Record: 2-2
MIAA Pick: 5^th
Schedule Note: Fell 8-4 in the season opener to No. 8 UT Tyler with the two wins coming this past Monday against Maryville
 
Pitt State
Current Record: 9-1
MIAA Pick: 7^th
Schedule Note: Reeled off eight-straight wins to open 2024 including a victory over No. 22 Oklahoma Baptist. The first loss was a 4-1 setback to Southern Nazarene on Feb. 10. The Gorillas then followed with a win over No. 16 Oklahoma Christian, 5-4. 
 
Emporia State
Current Record: 9-6
MIAA Pick: 9^th
Schedule Note: Started 2024 against NSIC opponents at the MSU Invitational with five-straight losses. Bounced back to earn the first victory of 2024 in an 11-0 win over Southwest Minnesota State. The Hornets have now won eight-straight games to enter play at the Washburn Invite. 
 
Maryville
Current Record: 1-8
GLVC Pick: 4^th
Schedule Note: The lone victory for the Saints is a 9-2 toppling of UMary on February 17 at the Emporia State Tournament against multiple NSIC opponents. Losses on the year include setbacks to No. 19 Rogers State and No. 3 Central Oklahoma.
 
Northwest Missouri State
Current Record: 5-4
MIAA Pick: 10^th
Schedule Note: Has not found real consistency in 2024 after opening the year with two victories in early February. Most recently, the Bearcats went 2-2 at the Mustang Roundup in Wichita Falls, Texas, with victories over Southwestern Oklahoma State and Midwestern State. The losses came to Northwestern Oklahoma State and Cameron.  
 
Washburn
Current Record: 9-3
MIAA Pick: 4^th
Schedule Note: The Ichabods own a victory over No. 13 Southern Arkansas and have won seven of their last eight contests. Last weekend, Washburn topped Ouachita Baptist and Missouri S&T as part of the Raising Canes Festival.   
 
About the Vikings
Augustana is 4-4 after a weather-wrecked weekend in Louisiana to open 2024. The Vikings have victories over No. 22 Oklahoma Baptist and No. 3 Central Oklahoma with ranked losses to No. 13 Southern Arkansas and now No. 7 Mississippi College.
 
In the batter's box, Liz Dierks holds the top average at .389 while Kennedy Buckman belted a pair of home runs with a deadened ball in 2024. Newcomer Desi Cuevas hit a trio of doubles while Gracey Brink owns two doubles, a triple and a home run.
 
In the circle, Grace Glanzer is off to a stellar start in her AU career with a .50 WHIP and 0.00 ERA in 26 innings pitched. Her ERA tops her in the country as one of 12 pitchers to have not allowed an earned run on the year. In addition, she has struck out 27 batters against just five walks.
 
As noted, stay tuned to GoAugie.com and the @AugieSoftball social media channels for updates regarding live coverage at the Washburn Invite.