ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings softball team will face a pair of CCIW opponents this upcoming weekend, beginning with a home doubleheader against the North Central Cardinals on Saturday, April 23, followed by a road two-game set versus the Carroll Pioneers.

Augie enters the weekend with a 17-10 overall record and 3-5 mark in CCIW action. The Vikings split a home doubleheader last Saturday against the Elmhurst Bluejays, winning game one by a score of 13-5 before falling in the finale 2-0. In the opener, the Vikings out-hit the Bluejays 12-8, led by multi-hit performances from Claudia Buchholz, Morgan Bielfeldt, Nadia Ranieri, and Janna George. Amanda Page earned the win on the mound after closing the final three innings of the game out. 

North Central comes in with a 19-6 overall record and is 9-3 in conference play. The Cardinals have won three straight contests and five in a row in CCIW games, with their most recent outing resulting and a doubleheader sweep of Elmhurst. The Cardinals outscored the Bluejays 8-0 over the course of two games. North Central has won seven of eight conference matchups since beginning the CCIW slate with a doubleheader sweep at the hands of Carroll. 

The Cardinals lead the all-time series with the Vikings 57-48. Augie snapped a seven-game losing streak last season after sweeping a two-game set at home over.

Live video will be available for both games vs. North Central. First pitch of gameone is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

On Sunday, the Vikings will hit the road to Waukesha, Wis. to square off with the Carroll Pioneers in a rescheduled doubleheader. The Pioneers currently sit 16-8 overall and 8-2 in league play. The team has won three straight games, which included a victory over Illinois Wesleyan followed by a sweep of Wheaton on the road. Carroll's other CCIW defeat came in a one-run loss at North Park.

Augustana is 4-11 all-time against Carroll, with the Pioneers winning seven of the last eight meetings. The two teams met five times in 2021, with Carroll winning four of those.

Start time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Live video and stat links can be found on the Augustana softball schedule page.