Seven-run first propels Augustana to consecutive titles
Early offense propelled the Vikings. They batted around before an out was recorded in the bottom of the first inning, all leading to seven runs.
'We were ready to attack from the get go,' Augustana graduate student Lexi Lander said. 'First pitch, that's kind of our thing, attack every single pitch. And so we were just ready to jump on them early from the get go. And I think that's kind of what helped propel us throughout the whole game.'
'The ball at that point looks like a beach ball for the kids when they're hitting,' Augustana head coach Gretta Melsted said. 'And it just it makes your defense be able to play a little bit freer. Your pitchers can play a little bit freer.'
Augustana, who has finished first in the conference five straight seasons, claimed its fourth tournament title in the last decade.
'I don't think it ever will because we just did so much energy into these games, especially at home,' Augustana sophomore outfielder Desi Cuevas said. 'We always want to win here. We just did that.'
'It is so special,' Lander said. 'That's kind of culture here at Augie, where we play to compete to play hard and go after teams. And that's exactly what we did this weekend.'
The championship game victory marks 21 straight wins for the Vikings. And they feel as though that streak is an indication of their upward trajectory heading into the NCAA regionals.
'It's exciting to watch our players just get better and better,' Melsted said. 'And I feel like we're playing our best softball right now. We're just doing this, and that's what you want to do at this time of year.'
'We definitely had our ups and downs throughout the season,' Augustana graduate pitcher Grace Glanzer said. 'A lot of youth, a lot of learning, a lot of getting to know each other a little bit on the field. And I think as hard as that was at times, it's prepared us for now.'
Augustana will open Central Regional play against Missouri Southern State in Joplin, Mo., on Thursday.
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