SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – After playing in 25 games away from Sioux Falls, the Augustana softball team makes its long-awaited debut Tuesday at Bowden Field. The Vikings host Northwest Missouri State at noon and 2 p.m.
 
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. 
 
About the Bearcats
Northwest Missouri State is 14-12 on the season after going 2-2 this past weekend, getting swept by MSU Moorhead and following with a sweep of Bemidji State.
 
Lillie Filger has been strong at the plate for NWMSU holding a team-best .458 average with 44 hits in 96 at-bats. Northwest Missouri State sees its power from Lauren Gray and her five home runs with 18 RBI while Skylar Pieper has four home runs and a 1.110 OPS.
 
In the circle, Jadyn Streigle is 5-5 with a 2.10 ERA. She has nearly double the number of innings pitching than the second-most on the Bearcats roster with 60.0 pitched with 60 strikeouts. Interestingly enough, Breck Dickey leads the team with 45 strikeouts in 35.1 innings but holds a 5.55 ERA.
 
About the Vikings
Augustana is welcoming being home where it posted a 15-3 record in 2023. In 2024, the Vikings are 13-12 in what could be considered the most difficult nonconference schedule in program history. The NCAA agrees as AU has played the 13^th hardest schedule to date and projected sixth hardest schedule for the entire season.
 
Desi Cuevas leads the Vikings in batting with her .388 average evenly splitting her hits for extra bases with four doubles, three triples and three home runs. Andrea Cain leads AU with 18 RBI while Kennedy Buckman has belted four home runs.
 
Grace Glanzer leads the Viking pitchers with an 0.83 ERA while striking out 62 batters in 65 innings. Hailey Houston has struck out 29 batters in 36.1 innings while holding opponents to a .223 batting average.
 
Augustana and Northwest Missouri State previously played this season with the Vikings winning 4-0. In that contest on Feb. 25, Houston pitched all seven innings allowing just three hits and striking out nine.