KANSAS CITY, Kas. -- The Augustana Vikings baseball team kicked off the 2026 campaign in explosive fashion, defeating Grinnell in game one 20-1, followed by an 8-4 win over Central. 

Game One: Augustana 20, Grinnell 1 

Augustana wasted no time establishing control in the opener. Sophomore outfielder Riley Hendren sparked the offense with a leadoff double before junior infielder Charlie Bergin brought him home with an RBI double, giving the Vikings a 1–0 lead in the first inning.

Grinnell tied the game in the third, but Augustana quickly responded in the fourth. Sophomore infielder Christian Clark scored on a single by sophomore outfielder Ryan Coon, with the run ruled unearned. Moments later, sophomore utility player Kaileb Hackman singled to score Coon, extending the lead to 3–1.

The Vikings broke the game open in the fifth inning with a massive 13-run frame.

Freshman infielder AJ Macak and senior Ethan Sosnowski both scored on an error that allowed Clark to reach base, giving Augustana a 5–1 lead. Shortly after, Coon lifted a sacrifice fly to score Clark and extend the margin to five. Hackman later scored on an RBI double from sophomore catcher Ryan Theile, making it 7–1.

With runners aboard, Sosnowski delivered the biggest swing of the game, launching a grand slam that scored Lawson Shickel, Theile, and Bergin, pushing the lead to 11–1.

The offense continued to pour it on. Macak scored on Clark's RBI double, and Clark and Hendren both scored when Hackman ripped a two-run double. Bergin followed with an RBI single to score Coon, and Theile capped the inning with an RBI single that scored Hackman, extending the lead to 16–1.

Augustana added four more runs in the sixth inning. Macak launched a solo home run to left field, and later in the inning, Coon blasted a three-run homer to center field, scoring Hendren and Clark and pushing the lead to 20–1.

Coon finished with five RBIs, while Hackman recorded five hits and three RBIs. Sosnowski drove in four runs with his grand slam, and Macak added three hits, including his home run. Clark scored four runs in the victory.

Senior right-hander Blake Nettleton earned the win, allowing just one run while striking out four over four innings. Senior Brian Fischer and junior Jack Buckalew combined for three scoreless innings in relief.

Game Two: Augustana 8, Central 4

Augustana carried its momentum into the second game, scoring early and maintaining control to complete the sweep.

The Vikings struck first in the opening inning when Hendren reached base and later scored on an RBI single from Coon, giving Augustana a 1–0 lead.

Central briefly answered to tie the game, but Augustana regained control in the third inning. Macak reached base and came around to score on a run-scoring hit from Hackman, putting the Vikings ahead once again.

Augustana extended its lead in the middle innings through consistent offensive pressure. Bergin delivered an RBI hit that brought home another run, and Sosnowski followed with a run-scoring play to increase the advantage.

The Vikings added crucial insurance runs later in the game when Macak drove in a run, and Hendren and Coon each contributed key offensive plays that resulted in additional scoring, pushing the Augustana lead to 8–4.

On the mound, Augustana's pitching staff delivered a strong overall performance. The starting pitcher set the tone early, limiting Central's scoring opportunities, while the bullpen held Central in check over the final innings to secure the victory.

The Vikings return to Kansas City next weekend for a three-game series against Concordia (Minn.), beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 21, followed by the series finale on Sunday, Feb. 22.