MANKATO, Minn. --- The eleventh-rated Minnesota State softball team earned the second seed in the NCAA Central Region 2 Tournament and will host sub-region action marking the sixth time in program history and fourth-straight year that MSU has hosted postseason play joining the 1987, 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2013 squads.

Our Last Outing: The Mavericks fell in the semi-final round of the NSIC Tournament to a hot Winona State, which won four-straight games in the tournament's final day to claim the NSIC Tournament Crown, and the top seed in the NCAA Central Region, while the Mavericks moved up to the second-seed and was also awarded hosting duties in sub-region action. 

The Mavericks and Warriors battled to a 5-5 tie through six innings before Winona State plated two runs in the top of the inning to take a 7-5 lead into the bottom of  the seventh. That is when two-time NSIC Player of the Year Lindsay Erickson stepped into the batters box with one out and blasted a two-run shot over the right field fence to force extra innings.

WSU plated one run in the top of the ninth inning, and intentionally walked Erickson to claim the 8-7 victory in nine innings. 

Scouting the Savage  Storm: Southeastern Oklahoma State enter the NCAA Central Region 2 Tournament the owner of a 38-17 overall record. SE earned its second-straight NCAA Tournament berth, as it made the trek to Mankato a season ago, where the Savage Storm fell to Winona State (11-3, six innings) and Minnesota State (8-0).

SE is coached by Ron Faubion who is in his 18th season at the helm of the Savage Storm softball program. Southeastern is  led by sophomore Jessica Simmons, who is batting .412. In the circle, SE is led by senior Mindy McElroy who owns a 24-9 record and a 2.47 ERA.

One for the Record Books: Senior catcher Lindsay Erickson, a four-time First Team All-NSIC selection, three-time First Team All-Region recipient, a two-time NSIC Player of Week and a three-time All-American and holds the MSU softball career records for games played, RBI, hits, doubles, home runs, total bases, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and batting average. Additionally, she holds the MSU single-season records for batting average, hits, games played, and on-base percentage.

I'll Take Coley with a "K" for 248: Freshman pitcher Coley Ries has recorded 237 strikeouts in 184 innings of work so far this season. The NSIC Freshman of the Year and NSIC Pitcher of the Year needs just 10 more strikeouts to tie and 11 strikeouts to break the single-season strikeout record which is held by Kendra Huetll who recorded 247 strikeouts in the 2012 season in 202 innings of work. 

Best in the League: The Minnesota State softball team cleaned house with NSIC postseason accolades as head coach Lori Meyer was named the NSIC Coach of the Year, senior catcher Lindsay Erickson brought home her second NSIC Player of the Year accolades in addition to being named to her fourth First-Team All-NSIC and NSIC Gold Glove while freshman pitcher Coley Ries was named NSIC Pitcher of the Year and NSIC Freshman of the Year as well as First-Team All-NSIC recognition. Senior Samantha Holien also received First-Team All-NSIC praise as well. Seniors Kelly Wood and Anna Cole in addition to junior Brittany Lauterbach were all named to the Second-Team All-NSIC.

Nationally Known: The Minnesota State softball team made its first appearance in the NFCA Top-25 Poll, debuting at No. 12 and in the most recent installment, the Mavericks are ranked No. 11, nationally.

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