FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Augustana Vikings baseball team travels to Florida on March 8-10 for the Gene Cusic Classic. The Vikings will play games against Muskingum, Scranton, Franklin & Marshall, and Rhode Island. 

Augie owns a 5-3 record and returns to action after hosting Luther on March 2-3, where the Vikings went 1-2 on the weekend. Luther won games one and three during the series, with the Vikings taking the middle game by a score of 16-11. Augie totaled 11 hits in the win, led three apiece from Cole Green and Grant Biggins. Alex Simon led the way with three runs batted in, while Brian Fischer earned the win on the mound after striking out five in relief. 

In their opening matchup on Friday, Augie battles the Muskingum Muskies, who own an overall record of 4-3. The Muskies enter the contest after dropping to Alvernia on Thursday, March 7 with a final score of 8-7. Muskingum had six hits, while their opponent obtained 11 hits. Conner Thamann led with three hits, three RBI, and one run. Friday will be the first matchup ever between both teams. Muskingum is 2-2 in neutral-sit contests this season. 

The Scranton Royals, who currently have a 3-0 record, will be the Vikings' first opponent on Saturday. The Royals return to action after a 5-1 victory on Sunday against Gettysburg. Scranton had six hits, while their opponent had just three hits. Nick Reposa led the Royals with two hits and two runs scored. This will be Scranton's first neutral game of the season and the first-ever meeting between the two programs. 

The Vikings will then face the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats for the third game of their trip. The Diplomats sit at 0-5 on the season after dropping a two-game series vs. Montclair State. Saturday will serve as the first-ever meeting between Augustana and F&M.

Augie will finish their southern trip with a Sunday matchup against the Rhode Island College Anchorman, who will start their season Friday, March 8 in Fort Myers. During the 2023 season, the Anchorman finished with a 30-13 overall record and a 4-3 neutral-site record. Rhode Island concluded their season in the Little East Tournament championship game, where they fell to Eastern Connecticut State with an 8-5 final score. Sunday's game will be the first matchup between both teams. 

The Vikings open their weekend on Friday against Muskingum at 11 a.m. CST at Terry Park field No. 1.