NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings softball team has been projected fourth in the CCIW preseason coaches' poll released on Friday.

The Vikings are coming off a 26-15 overall record and 12-4 mark in the CCIW last season, earning the No. 2 seed in the postseason tournament. The team saw its most wins in a season since 2015 and finished the highest in the CCIW in 10 years. Augie also boasted six All-Conference selections, the most since 2009.

Augustana will see two All-CCIW selections return in 2025, including McKensey Stontz, who led the team in home runs and was second in OPS, hits, batting average, and RBI. On the mound, All-Conference pitcher Lauren Koster is back after posting a 3.29 ERA in 2024 to go with eight wins.

The Vikings earned 49 points in the CCIW preseason poll, just one behind third-place Millikin and two behind second-place North Central.

Augie opens the season on February 20 against No. 23 UW-Stevens Point and Mount Mary.