KENOSHA, Wis. -- The Augustana Vikings softball team will step back into conference action on Friday, April 15 when they visit the Carthage Firebirds for a road doubleheader. The game was originally scheduled for April 9, but was rescheduled due to field conditions at the time. On Saturday, Augustana returns home to face the Elmhurst Bluejays.

Augie enters the weekend with a 15-8 overall record and 1-3 mark in the CCIW. The team is coming off of a non-conference doubleheader sweep of the Monmouth Fighting Scots on Tuesday, winning both games by scores of 4-0 and 8-3. Sophomore pitcher Nadia Ranieri stole the show in game one, striking out 16 batters and not allowing a hit. In game two, the Vikings strung together 12 hits that included a 4-4 effort from Claudio Buchholz and multi-hit performances from Nichole Nash, and Morgan Bielfeldt. With the victories, Augie earned their 15th win on the season, already eclipsing last year's season total.

Carthage currently sports an 8-8 record are is 3-1 in conference action. The team began CCIW play with a sweep of Elmhurst before splitting two games with North Central in their most recent outing on Tuesday. The Firebirds and Vikings have one common opponent this season in Hamilton, a team that Augie beat down in Florida. Hamilton defeated Carthage 6-5 back on March 14.

The Firebirds lead the all-time series 38-34 and have won four straight over the Vikings. Carthage swept the doubleheader over Augustana last season in Kenosha, outscoring the Vikings 13-0 over two games. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

On Saturday, Augie returns home to host Elmhurst, who currently sits 6-15 on the year and 0-6 in league play. The Bluejays have dropped doubleheaders to Carroll, Millikin, and Carthage to begin conference and overall have lost seven straight contests. Elmhurst has four common opponents this season with Augustana, defeating both Monmouth and UW-Platteville earlier this season. The Bluejays fell to Tufts and Bowdoin. Augie is 3-1 against those schools this season.

The Vikings lead the all-time series 60-20 and have won six straight overall against the Bluejays. Augie defeated Elmhurst 5-4 in their last meeting during the 2021 season. First pitch of game one is slated for noon. 

Live video and stat links can be found on the Augustana softball schedule page.