SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Following 22 games on the road, the No. 8 Augustana softball team returns to Sioux Falls for its home debut in the 2025 season with a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader against Missouri Western. Game times are set for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Bowden Field.
 
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 GRIFFONS
Following an eight-game slate to open conference competition, Missouri Western sits with a 16-9 overall record to kick off 2025.
 
Mackenzie DeVine leads with a team-best .360 average with 27 hits off 75 at-bats to join her .520 slugging percentage. Ayva McComas and Sydney Young have each smashed three homeruns as Young also sits with 18 RBI. Kalee Higdon has added in 23 hits, 22 stolen bases and 22 runs.  
 
In the circle, Sydney Rader is leading at 11-3 in her 15 appearances and holds a 1.24 ERA with a .91 WHIP. She's totaled a team-high 85 strikeouts in her 90.0 innings pitched, holding opponents to a .176 batting percentage.
 
SERIES HISTORY
All-time, AU leads 14-12 against the Griffons. The most recent face-off took place on March 12 last year, where Augustana emerged with the sweep after taking an 8-5 and a 4-1 victory in St. Joseph.
 
ABOUT THE VIKINGS
Following a loaded week with eight games where the Vikings went 7-1, Augustana sits with a 17-5 overall record. AU collected victories over Northwest Missouri State, Drury, Washburn, Northeastern State, No. 20 McKendree and Missouri S&T in the span and are currently rated eighth in the NFCA Softball Coaches Poll.
 
Desi Cuevas holds a .377 batting average, a .696 slugging percentage, 26 hits off 69 at-bats, 21 RBI, 13 stolen bases and six homeruns. Andrea Cain is close behind with a slash line of .338/.754/1.230 while adding in 22 hits, 17 RBI, 14 walks, six doubles and six homers.
 
In 76.2 innings of work, Grace Glanzer has collected 75 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .206 batting average. She's 8-3 in her 11 appearances and maintains a 1.19 ERA—which leads the NSIC—and a .95 WHIP. Lexi Lander is also 7-2 on the season in 11 appearances, striking out 49 batters in 50.2 innings with an ERA of 1.66 and opponent batting average of .250.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
Augustana will kick off conference play on the road, taking on MSU Moorhead and Northern State in back-to-back doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday.