SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana softball team is back in action Thursday through Saturday with six games against MIAA opponents. The Vikings begin with a doubleheader Thursday at Missouri Southern, then travel to Pittsburg, Kansas, to face No. 11 Central Oklahoma Friday and No. 13 Pittsburg State Saturday.
 
As always with spring sports, stay tuned to GoAugie.com for any schedule changes.
 
Complete action can be followed on GoAugie.com/Live and the GoAugie app, presented by The Original Pancake House. The app can be downloaded in the App Store or Google Play. 
 
Missouri Southern
Current Record: 19-6
MIAA Pick: 3rd
Schedule Note: The Lions most recently split with Central Missouri, dropping a 2-1 contest in game one then bounced back to an 8-0, run-rule victory in game two. Taylor Nuckolls leads the team in batting with her .426 average spread amongst a team-best four triples and two doubles. In the circle, Avery Tallman owns a 1.89 ERA and a perfect 5-0 record.
 
No. 11 Central Oklahoma
Current Record: 16-6
MIAA Pick: 1st
Schedule Note: The Bronchos have been on a tear as of late, winning nine-straight games and 11 of 12. Jacee Minter leads the team with her .387 average and eight home runs while Terin Ritz has tallied seven home runs with a .367 average. Ritz is also the Bronchos' top pitcher with an 8-2 record and 1.54 ERA.
 
No. 13 Pittsburg State
Current Record: 24-2
MIAA Pick: 7th
Schedule Note: Winners of 14 in a row, the last loss by the Gorillas was a 6-0 loss to Augustana on Feb. 23. Heather Arnett hits the ball at an unsightly .567 which marks as fifth-highest in NCAA Division II. Two PSU players own six home runs while both, Maddie Fernandez and Paxtyn Hayes, lead the team with 27 RBI. In the circle, Ava Laurnett is 9-0 with a 1.25 ERA.
 
About the Vikings
Augustana is 12-7 on the young season. Liz Dierks owns the Vikings' top average at .385 with Ashton Dorman just behind at .364. In the circle, Grace Glanzer is 5-2 with a 0.33 ERA while Hailey Houston and Lexi Lander were both the winning pitchers in the Vikings' sweep over Missouri Western on Tuesday.
 
Augustana is familiar with two of the three opponents this week as AU topped Central Oklahoma in a thriller on Feb. 2. At that time, the Bronchos were ranked No. 3 in NCAA Division II. In the previously mentioned win over Pittsburg State, the Gorillas were limited to just a pair of hits by Glanzer while Dorman was 3-for-4 at the plate. In addition, Nicole Bellis was 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.