MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team wrapped up its non-conference slate with six wins at the Missouri Western Invitational as it opens the circuit with twinbills against Concordia-St. Paul, Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston over the next seven days.
The Golden Bears, Beavers and Golden Eagles have combined for an 18-31 overall record entering NSIC action.
Our Last Outing: The Mavericks finished their non-conference schedule on a six-game winning streak as they went a perfect 6-0 at the Missouri Western Tournament with wins over Washburn (8-2), Missouri Southern (5-2), Pitt State (16-6), No. 12 Emporia State (12-4) in six innings before downing Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western by scores of 2-0 and 1-0, respectively, in the final day of the Missouri Western Invitational.
Senior Samantha Holien continued swinging the hot stick as she amassed a blistering .545 batting average with a 1.045 slugging percentage at the Missouri Western Invitational. Holien scored nine runs on 12 hits in 22 at bats including a stolen base, two doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI and 23 total bases. In the field, the Forest Lake, Minn., native, recorded a 1.000 fielding percentage with 12 putouts and five assists as her Mavericks improved to 16-6 overall while going 6-0 at the Missouri Western Invitational. This also marks the second time Holien has received praise from the NSIC, she was named NSIC Player of the Week on Feb. 18.
Freshman Coley Ries continued her strong season in the circle posting a 1.27 ERA in five appearances, including three starts, two complete games and a shutout. The Eagle Lake, Minn., product posted a 3-0 record improving to 7-2 overall. Ries gave up six runs (four earned) on 13 hits with 26 strikeouts while holding opposing batters to a .163 batting average as the Mavericks went 6-0 against MIAA opponents, improving to 16-6 overall. This marks the second time this season Ries was named NSIC Pitcher of the Week, she also recieved the honor on March 10, as well.
Times, They Are A Changin': Due to the Minnesota winter, all three of this week's games have been moved indoors. The Mavericks will face Concordia-St. Paul on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. before squaring off against Bemidji State Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. and Minnesota Crookston Monday at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
About Concordia-St. Paul: The Golden Bears of Concordia-St. Paul enter this weekend's twin bill with a 5-15 overall recording after losing four of its six games in the Missouri Western Tournament this past weekend.
Entering his 10th season as head coach, Bob Bartel is the all-time wins leader in Concordia softball history. His squad last season finished eighth in the NSIC with a 15-9 conference record and 29-16 overall.
The Golden Bears have struggled offensively as a team, but Navarae Honoroff hasn't had any struggles getting on base, leading the squad with a .365 batting average and .441 on base percentage. She is also tied for the most stolen bases on the team with seven. Bekah Roth has been the run producer, batting in 19 RBIs with a .319 batting average and team-high 22 hits.
About Bemidji State: After winning seven of its 10 games down in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Bemidji State is now 11-5 overall.
The Beavers hired Rick Supinski to be the school's 18th head coach in the offseason, and is so far off to a fair start. Before coming to Bemidji, Supinski was an assistant coach for Bates College, where he helped the NCAA Division III Bobcats to a 20-38 record and led them to their first appearance in the New England Small College Athletic Conference Tournament since 1999.
Getting on base hasn't been an issue for the Beavers with four players batting over .300. Nicole Dupay has the triple crown for the squad batting .368 with two homeruns and 10 RBIs. She also owns team-highs in runs (13) and slugging percentage (.596).
Jessica Yost has been their ace so far this season, leading the team with a 0.70 ERA on a 3-1 record in her first five starts. While striking out 28 batters, she has only issued six walks and has completed four games.
About Minnesota Crookston: Before beginning NSIC play, the Golden Eagles played 11 games in Clermont, Fla. and only came out on top in two of them and are currently on a four-game losing streak.
Ed Deugan, head coach of the Golden Eagles, entered his second season with the squad and posted a 3-38 record in 2013. Before becoming a Golden Eagle, Deugan finished up a four-season tenure with Southern Wesleyan University.
With a team-high 10 hits and four RBIs, Ashley Manusos owns a .303 batting average and has one homerun. Josee Plante also has one homerun and is batting .321 with three RBIs.
Pitcher Paige Schaust owns both wins with a 6.75 ERA. In 26.2 innings, she has fanned 12 batters, walked 14 and has completed three games.
What Ranking?: Minnesota State is a perfect 3-0 against ranked opponents, including wins over then ranked No. 14 Wayne State (Mich.), 5-1, No. 12 LIU-Post, 3-0 and most recently a 12-4 win over then ranked No. 12 Emporia State in six innings.
Lighting Up the Board: MSU is currently 2-0 when it scores over 10+ innings in a game, adversely, the Mavericks are 10-1 when holding their opponents to under two runs.
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