Softball team wins Conference

Augustana softball hosts the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) tournament this weekend, and the Vikings hope to build on their 41-10 record.

The Vikings clinched the NSIC championship for the season this past weekend, but look to sweep the conference with a first-place victory on May 8.

''It feels good to see the hard work and recruiting efforts pay off, as well as our kids' hard work,'' head coach Gretta Melsted said. ''They've worked very hard. It's great to watch.''

The Vikings will host the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs at noon on Friday, where they hope the home-field advantage can continue for them.

''We get to play at Bowden Field, and I think that's an advantage,'' Melsted said. ''We get to play on our field, in our dugout, with our fans, in our town. We love it.''

The Vikings, however, will not rely on location to bring them the championship. The offense, defense and pitching areas of the game have been strong all season for the team, and they look to continue that.

Sophomore Ashley Meyer, who leads the team in wins this season with a 17-3 record, will take the mound at least once on Friday and hopes to continue her success.

''At this point in the season, the wins are a great thing and a great confidence booster, but I think more than anything my defense has been playing great and the offense is putting runs on the board,'' Meyer said. ''Most of the credit goes to my team, because they always come through.''

The offense has been led by junior Traci Fransen, who leads the team with a .399 batting average, 14 homeruns and 60 runs batted in, while freshman Jenny Brown is hitting .398 and leading the team with 68 hits for the year.

For the entire team, the goal has been the national tournament all season, and both Melsted and Meyer feel that the idea is still attainable.

''I think nationals [are] realistic,'' Meyer said. ''Coach told us that it was our goal this year and we could do it. We've worked hard.''

That hard work hasn't been easy, but Melsted knows it was for the best.

''Every practice, every extra weight lifted, every mental session we've had, it's all paying off,'' Melsted said.