CAROL STREAM, Ill. -- Augustana baseball kicked off their conference slate with a victory over Elmhurst on Sunday, downing the Bluejays by a 7-1 score. 

Harrison Boushele got the nod for Augie, beginning his day by striking out one in the opening inning. In the Vikings' second at-bat, the team saw two batters reach base via hit by pitch and walk before Alex Simon hit an RBI single to go up 1-0. After a three-up, three-down inning from the Bluejays, Augie added their second run of the game in the third with Matt Ozanic scoring on a fielder's choice from Alec McGinnis.

The Vikings surged for three runs in the top of the fourth inning, beginning with a Simon RBI double to left center to score Cole Green. Simon then came around to score on an Ozanic single two hitters later before Chase Maifield doubled to put the Vikings ahead by five. Elmhurst scored in the bottom of the inning behind an RBI single with a runner on second to make it 5-1 after four complete.

Augustana added their final two runs in the top of the sixth, beginning with two runners on base due to a single and a walk. Maifield tallied his second and third runs batted in with two outs, sending a double down the right field line to cushion the advantage to 7-1. Boushele held the Bluejays scoreless through the next two innings prior to Jacob Reusch striking out one in a three-up and three-down final frame. 

Boushele earned his fifth victory of the season after pitching eight full innings, allowing just three hits and striking out 12 batters. Maifield led the Vikings with three hits, while Green and Campbell each had two.

The Vikings improve to 16-4 with the win and 1-0 in conference. The team will return home to face the No. 16 ranked North Central Cardinals on Tuesday, April 4. The action begins at 6:00 p.m. from Swanson Stadium.