Mankato, Minn. —  Minnesota State (23-9, 9-5 NSIC) concludes its six-game roadtrip Wednesday as it travels to Wayne, Neb., for a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader against the Wildcats, slate to begin at 2 p.m.
   
Minnesota State History:  The 2010 season is the 37th for Maverick softball.  MSU owns an all-time record of 936-642-7(.593) in 1,585 games, and won four titles (1984, 1987, 1989, 2007) during their time in the North Central Conference and eight appearances in the NCAA Division II National Tournament (1984, 1987, 1989, 1995, 1997, 2007, 2008 and 2009) to its credit.

Yard Work: In 32 games, the Mavericks have hit 24 home runs this season, while its opponents have hit just nine.  Sophomore Chelsea Erickson and senior Kelsey Thompson each have  five home runs this year, while senior Libbie Reichling has four.

Rankings:  The Mavericks received votes in the last edition of the NCAA Division II Coaches Poll.

Get to 'em Early:  Minnesota State has scored 169 runs this season, while yielding just 87.  Of those 169 runs, 71.5 percent (121) have came in the first four innings of the game.  The Mavericks have scored 37 first-inning runs this year, while its opponents have crossed the plate 22 times in the first inning.  The Mavericks have also scored 35 fourth-inning runs this year while it opponents have crossed the plate just 13 times in the fourth frame.

A Few Random Numbers:  Minnesota State is batting .289 with runners on base, .324 with the bases loaded, .263 with runners in scoring position and .543 with a runner on third and less than two outs.  The Mavericks are hitting .445 to leadoff an inning, and have successfully advanced runners 50.5 percent of the time.  With two outs, MSU is hitting .243, while its opponents are hitting .216.

Last Week: Minnesota State played to a 4-2 record last weekend with sweeps over Minnesota Duluth and Bemidji State.  The Mavericks hit .291 for the week and had 52 hits – 17 of which were of the extra base variety.  Senior first baseman Kelsey Thompson batted .421 this week with a 1.053 slugging percentage and .542 on base percentage.  Thompson had a team-high three home runs, three doubles and eight RBI last week.  Redshirt freshman pitcher Courtney McKelvogue went 2-0 with a 2.23 ERA last week.

The Friendly Confines: The Mavericks are 9-5 this season at home.  Senior second baseman Abby Morris leads the team in hitting at home with a .500 batting average while freshman centerfielder Lauryn Morris is batting .383.  Redshirt freshman Courtney McKelvogue is 5-1 at home with a 2.06 earned run average.

Inside the League:  In Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play, senior catcher Kelsey Thompson is hitting .421 this season with five doubles, four home runs and 14 runs batted in.  Thompson is also slugging .868 in league play and has a .532 on base percentage.  Senior second baseman Abby Morris is batting .417 in the league.  Redshirt freshman pitcher Courtney McKelvogue is 5-1 with a 2.30 earned run average in league play.

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