MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team will begin its 2015 campaign on Friday, as it plays six games this weekend at the UAM 8-State Classic down in Bentonville, Ark.

Upcoming Games:

Date	Opponent	Location	Time (CT)
2/13	Pittsburg State	Bentonville, Ark.	11 a.m.
2/13	Northeastern State	Bentonville, Ark.	3 p.m.
2/14	Missouri-St. Louis	Bentonville, Ark.	9 a.m.
2/14	Arkansas Tech	Bentonville, Ark.	1 p.m.
2/15	Henderson State	Bentonville, Ark.	9 a.m.
2/15	Arkansas-Monticello	Bentonville, Ark.	11 a.m.

From Last Season: The Minnesota State softball team finished its 2014 campaign with 43-13 record and 25-3 NSIC record, which led the Mavericks to their third straight NSIC regular season title. The Mavericks also hosted the NCAA Central Region for the fourth year in a row, where they eventually fell to Emporia State.

MSU returns its top pitcher from last season in sophomore Coley Ries. The right-hander boasted a 23-8 record last season, along with holding opposing batters to a 1.92 ERA batting average. Ries also posted 20 complete games and struck out 242 batters last season, which marks the second most by any pitcher in a season at MSU.

Junior Karli DesLauriers and sophomore Ashley Thell also return to the Mavericks lineup this season. DesLauriers started all 51 games she played in from a year ago and posted 47 hits, 36 runs scored, 20 RBI and 13 stolen bases on 14 attempts. Thell is MSU's top returning hitter from a season ago, as she batted .331 and accumulated 45 hits, 32 runs, 30 RBI, 16 walks, eight doubles and 14 stolen bases.

About Pittsburg State: The Gorillas will open their 2015 campaign at the UAM 8-State Classic.  Pitt State is coached by Elizabeth Economon, who is her third season at the helm.  The Mavericks own a 7-2 all-time record over the Gorillas, as MSU managed to defeat Pitt State twice last year, by the scores of 6-4 and 16-6.

The Gorillas top returning player is senior catcher McKenzie Rynard, who posted a .436 batting average, 17 home runs, 56 RBI. Sophomore Cheslyn Mitchell also returns for the Gorillas, as she recorded a .402 batting, 40 runs scored, 70 hits, including a team-leading 15 doubles.

About Northeastern State: Entering the week, the Riverhawks own a 0-4 overall record, including a pair of losses to Texas A&M Commerce. NSU's head coach is Clay Davis, who is his third season at the job.

The Riverhawks are led by Alli Eales this season, as she is batting .364, with four hits and four RBI.

In the circle, sophomore pitcher Krissey Crow, owns a 0-1 record, with a 3.00 ERA. 


About Missouri-St. Louis: The Tritons come into the week, owning 5-1 overall record, including a 12-2 win over Colorado Mesa in their last outing. UMSL's head coach is Brian Levin, who is his fifth season, and has posted a 153-67 career record at the helm.

Senior Brianna Butler is batting .500, with three doubles, three home runs and RBI. She also boasts a 1.100 slugging percentage.

In the circle, senior Brittany Chapman, owns a 3-0 record, to go along with a 1.68 ERA. 

About Arkansas Tech: The Golden Suns will open their 2015 season at the UAM-8 State Classic. ATU is coached by Kristina McSweeney, who will begin her third season at the helm. Last year the Golden Suns finished with a 31-27 record. 

The Mavericks and Golden Suns faced each other last year, with ATU coming out on top, 7-6.

Last season, senior Whitney Robinson batted .418, and led the team in hits (77), runs scored (51) and doubles (18). Courtney Colunga batted .305 with six home runs and 28 RBI last season. 

Sophomore Sydnee Clark returns to the circle after posting a 16-11 record, to along with 18 complete games and 2.25 ERA. Last season she struck out a team-leading 95 batters.

About Henderson State: The Reddies enter the week with a 5-3 overall record, including a 14-0 win over Missouri Southern State in their most recent game. HSU is coached by Beth Jackson, who is entering her seventh season.

The Reddies have four batters hitting at .500 or above, including sophomore Ashlyn White who is batting .545 with three home runs and 12 RBI. 

Freshman Michelle Sorensen is currently 3-2 in the circle and owns a 2.38 ERA, to go along with 27 strikeouts and two complete games.

About Arkansas Monticello: The Blossoms enter the week with a 2-2 overall record, including an 8-0 win over Christian Brothers in their most win. UAM is coached by Alvy Early, who owns a 600-293-2 record at the helm.

Senior Sydney Tipton is batting .455, with three runs scored and two doubles. Junior Holly Wilmarth is batting .429, with a team-leading six hits, three RBI and one home run.

In the circle, senior Katie Slaughter is 1-1 on the season, with a 1.11 ERA. She has held opposing batters to .229 batting average.

I'm Honored: Sophomore Coley Ries has been named to the NFCA Division II National Player of the Year Watch list. Last season she finished the year with a 23-8 record, along with 242 strikeouts and 1.92 ERA.

Three Straight: The Minnesota State softball team has now won the last three NSIC regular season championships, including a 25-3 conference record last season.

Look Who's Back: A total of 12 players from MSU's 2014 season return, including senior Chelsea Riordan, juniors Laura Milligan, Tatum Klein, Karli DesLauriers, Abby Whritenour and Emily Bransky, sophomore's Coley Ries, Molly Sager, Dana Mogren, Ashley Thell, Mandi Mauch and Samantha Buhmann. 

Fresh Faces: MSU added eight new players onto its 2015 roster including junior Katie Koponen, redshirt-freshman Alyssa Rickels, freshmen Libby Bemis, Kelly Grove, Kara Lattery, Jordan Mauch, Jess Meidl and Blair Tommelein.

Preseason Prognostications: Minnesota State was picked to finish in a tie for second in the NSIC Preseason Poll, along with Augustana. Winona was voted to finish first  with five first place votes and 213 points. The Mavericks received five first place votes as well and 209 total points. MSU sophomore Coley Ries was NSIC Preseason Pitcher of the Year and sophomore Ashley Thell was selected as a  NSIC Player to Watch.

Minnesota State History: The 2015 season marks the 41st for Maverick softball program. MSU owns an all-time record of 1,126-699-7 (.616) in 1,832 games, and has four North Central Conference titles (1984, 1987, 1989, 2007), three Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title (2012, 2013, 2014) and 13 appearances in the NCAA Division II National Tournament (1984, 1987, 1989, 1995, 1997, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014) to its credit.

Regionally Speaking: Last season, MSU earned the two seed in the NCAA Division II Central 2 Region tournament and hosted the subregional action. The region is now comprised of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), and the Great American Conference (GAC).

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