Photo credit: photos.paap.net

MANKATO, Minn. --- After 42 games on the road to open the season, the Minnesota State softball team is set to make its home debut with a six-game Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference  homestand to close out regular season play at the MSU Softball Diamond.  

Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State (28-14, 9-9 NSIC) went 2-2 last week. The Mavericks opened the weekend sweeping MSU Moorhead (10-0, 4-0) before dropping both sides of a doubleheader at Northern State (4-1, 1-0).

NCAA Central Region Rankings: Minnesota State has been slotted fifth in the first edition of the NCAA Central Region rankings. The Mavericks assembled a 26-12 overall record and a 20-11 in-region record. Winona State (30-4) topped the poll with Southern Arkansas in second and Minnesota Duluth (3rd) and Augustana (4th) to complete the top-five. 

Impact Mavericks: Sophomore Carly Esselman boasted a team-best .538 batting average last week with seven hits and three RBI. The outfielder also stole a team-high four bases on five attempts. Freshman Courtney Potter contributed a .400 batting average with four hits and two runs.

Sophomore Surge: Sophomore Carly Esselman has a team-best .466 batting average this season. The Farmington, Minn., ranks in the top-10 in seven NSIC statistical categories: second in batting average (.466) third in triples (6), fourth in RBI (47), sixth in hits (61), sixth in stolen bases (21), seventh in runs (37) and eighth in slugging percentage (.695). Esselman has tallied a team-high 13 multiple RBI games to go along with 19 multiple hit games. 

The Meidl File: Senior Jessica Meidl is batting .424 this season and has scored a team-best 44 runs this season. Last week, Meidl connected on a career-best two home runs in game one at MSU Moorhead. She has five home runs this season and 21 in her career as a Maverick. 

The outfielder also ranks in the top-10 in four additional statistical categories in the NSIC: second in doubles (18), third in runs (44), seventh in hits (61), seventh in RBI (38), ninth in stolen bases (18), eighth in batting average (.424) and 10th in slugging percentage (.681). The Lakeville, Minn., has notched 19 multiple hit games with 10 multiple RBI games this season.
 
Earlier this season, Meidl passed Tatum Klein (2013-16) to become the MSU all-time leader in stolen bases with 107 on April 13 against Bemidji State. She also passed Lindsay Erickson (2011-14) to become the MSU all-time leader in career runs scored with 185 on March 3 against Hillsdale. 

In the Circle:  Last week, freshman Mackenzie Ward went 2-1 in the circle with a 1.75 era. The right handed pitcher started in three games including both ends of the Mavericks' doubleheader sweep of  MSU Moorhead (10-0, 4-0). Ward tossed a team-high 17 strikeouts while limiting opposing batters to a .193 batting average. The Clive, Iowa native registered a season-high nine strikeouts in game one at MSU Moorhead. 

Defending Our Diamond: Minnesota State has won 28 straight home games on  the MSU Softball Diamond dating back to the 2016 season. The last loss MSU suffered on its home field was against Wayne State on April 26, 2015.  

Scouting Upper Iowa: Upper Iowa  (18-20, 5-13 NSIC) is located in Fayette, Iowa and enters the week having dropped its last four contests. Most recently, the Peacocks fell to Minot State (6-3, 6-5) on the road. Upper Iowa is led by head coach Amanda Bradberry who is in her fifth season. 

Last season, Minnesota State blanked Upper Iowa (8-0, 1-0) on the road. The Mavericks lead the all-time series, 21-5.  

Scouting Minot State: Minot State is located in Minot, N.D., and begins the week with a 23-18 (10-10 NSIC) overall record. Most recently, the Beavers swept Upper Iowa (6-3, 6-5).Minot State is led by first year head coach Dave Kivett. 

In their most recent encounter, the Mavericks blanked Beavers, 8-0, in five innings in the first round of the NSIC Tournament. Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 12-0. 

Scouting Mary: Mary is located in Bismarck, N.D., and enters the week with a 15-16 (6-12 NSIC) overall record. Most recently, the Marauders  were shutout by No. 8 Winona State (7-0, 8-0). Mary is led by head coach Kerry Shaw who is in his third season. 

Last season, Minnesota State cruised past Mary, 7-1, and, 8-3, on the road. The Mavericks lead the all-time series, 11-7. 

Looking Ahead: The NSIC Softball Tournament is scheduled for May 3-5 in Sioux Falls, S.D.