DENVER, Colo. —  Needing a pair of wins on Memorial Day, the Augustana Softball team knocked off Texas A&M-Kingsville, 6-4, in game one and outlasted the Javelinas, 6-4, in game two to claim the 2019 Division II Softball National Championship. The Vikings win the best-of-three series, 2-1.

A day to remember for the rest of our lives. National. Champions. ?⚔️

Full highlights ⬇️⬇️#RelentlessPursuit | #BuildingChampions pic.twitter.com/dhH3gQToJT

— Augustana Softball (@AugieSoftball) May 28, 2019

The title marks the second in program history for Augustana. The Vikings claimed the 1991 national title under legendary coach Sandy Jerstad. Augustana (61-11), also tied the program record for wins in a single season with 61. 

Augustana earned six spots on the DII all-tournament team, including pitcher Ashley Mickschl who was named most outstanding player. Mickschl pitched a total of 26.1 innings, allowing eight earned runs and striking out 14. Maggie Kadrlik, Kendall Cornick, Ashley Mickschl, Shannon Petersen, Kara McDougall, and Mary Pardo.

Augustana head coach Gretta Melsted is proud of the program for not only winning the title but playing the game the right way and representing Augustana. 

"Just an incredible day and an incredible performance from our program," Melsted said. "We always tell them - if you play the game the right way - if you're respectful of the game, the game will give back. We feel like today, the game gave back."

Moments that mattered

• Augustana ties the single-season program record for wins, ending the year with 61.
• In game one, Maggie Kadrlik hit two home runs, and finished the day 2-4
• Shannon Petersen collected a game-high three hits in game one.
• Maggie Dunnett crushed a two-run homer to start the scoring in game one.
• After trailing 4-0 in game two, Augustana scored six unanswered runs.
• Samantha Eisenreich had a team-high two hits in game two.
• Petersen's double in the fifth tied the game at 4-4.
• Kendall Cornick had the game-winning hit and RBI, connecting on a two-run single in the 6th.
• Mickschl came into the game in the second inning of game two, and shutdown Kingsville to the tune of 0 runs, four strikeouts, and three hits in 5.1 innings.

Game One

After a scoreless first inning, the Vikings flexed their muscle in the second. After Shannon Petersen started off the frame with a single to center, Maggie Dunnett crushed a 2-1 offering over the fence in right center. Her 14th home run of the year made it 2-0.

Elliott allowed one hit in the first inning but ran into a little trouble in the second. A pair of walks and a pair of hits allowed the Javelinas to tie the game at 2-2. A single up the middle in the third inning made it a 3-2 Kingsville lead. 

However, the Vikings found the answer in the fourth. Shannon Petersen started off the inning with a single to left before advancing to second on a walk. Moments later, Kara McDougall came up with the biggest hit of her career, slapping a single to center to tie the game.

In the fifth, the Viking senior leader stepped up. Maggie Kadrlik stepped in and crushed a two-run home run to right-center, scoring Kendall Cornick and giving the Vikings a 5-3 lead.

Kingsville got a run back on a solo shot, but Kadrlik made sure the Vikings weren't going to have their season end. The catcher struck a solo home run to right, marking her second of the game and giving the Vikings a 6-4 lead. 

Mickschl pitched well in the seventh, securing the win and forcing a winner-take-all game three. 

Game Two

Amber Elliott got the start for the Vikings in game two, and although she retired the first two batters, quickly ran into trouble. Texas A&M-Kingsville went on to score a pair of runs on two hits and one error. The Javelinas doubled the lead in the second when Victoria Schoonard-Saborio launched a two-run home run. 

Trailing 4-0, the Augustana offense went to work in the third. The frame started with an Eisenreich double, and following a hit-by-pitch and walk, the bases were loaded. Mickschl stepped in a blasted liner to second, but the ball rolled into right, allowing two runs to score. 

The Viking made it a 4-3 game moments later when Kadrlik was hit by a pitch, allowing Mary Pardo to score.  

Augustana added to the scoreboard in the fifth, as once again a senior stepped up. This time, Petersen connected an RBI double off the fence in right center, scoring Mary Pardo.

The Vikings completed the comeback in the sixth frame. Augustana loaded the bases, setting the stage for Cornick heroics. Her two-run single to right score McDougal and Pardo, making it 6-4.

Mickschl stayed in the game, shutting down Kingsville in the sixth. In the seventh, with two outs, Mickschl made history, collecting a ground ball to second base for the games final out. Augustana is your 2019 DII Softball National Champion.