On Tap: Fourth-rated Minnesota State will finally see its first action of the season this week when they make their annual trip to Florida for the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. The Mavericks will play 10 games against eight teams over their eight days in the Sunshine State.

Last Time on the Diamond:  Last spring, Minnesota State made its 33rd and ninth consecutive appearence in the NCAA DII National Tournament. The Mavericks were able to go 4-0 in the regional tournament to advance to their third-straight NCAA DII College World Series appearence.

At the College World Series, the Mavericks dropped their first game to Seton Hill by a score of 4-2. Just one more loss would send MSU packing. In its matchup against St. Thomas Aquinas, MSU would stay alive with 6-1 win to set up a rematch between MSU and Seton Hill. The Mavericks would avenge their loss to the Griffins with a 3-1 victory.

This set up a semifinal matchup against Southern Indiana. Minnesota State took the first game, 5-1, to force a final game to see who would go on to the national championship game. In that game it was Screaming Eagles who won by a slight edge of 4-3. USI would go on and defeat Colorado Mesa in the national championship game.

Looking at the Lakers: Grand Valley State comes into the RussMatt Invitational without having played a game yet this season after its opening games of the season against Southern Indiana were cancelled. GVSU started play in Florida on Monday against Gannon University, defeating the Golden Knights 13-12 in a high scoring affair. The Mavericks and Lakers will square off in a twinbill on Thursday with the first game set to begin at 10:30 a.m.

Scouting the Panthers: Drury University enters the RussMatt Invitational with 2-2 record after splitting its first four contests with St. Edward's University. Senior Luke Tewes leads the team with a .429 batting average, five runs, eight RBI, three home runs and owns a 1.071 slugging percentage. Junior Luke Burnidge has started one game and hasn't allowed a run through 6.1 innings pitched while striking out five batters. The Mavericks and Panthers will battle Friday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Looking at the Eagles: Ashland University owns a 3-1 record so far this season posting wins over Davenport University, Lewis University and the University of Findlay. Minnesota State and Ashland University will meet on Saturday with the first pitch scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

The Panther Report: Ohio Dominican University will enter the Russmatt Invitational without having a game under its belt after its first six games of the season were cancelled. ODU will have three games under their belt before playing the Mavericks Sunday at 9 a.m.

Scouting the Timberwolves: Northwood University also comes into the RussMatt Invitational without any action this season. The Timberwolves will have four contests before the Mavericks meet them on Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.

Looking at the Battlers: Alderson Broaddus University owns a 0-2 record after dropping its season opening doubleheader to Post University by scores of 3-1 and 5-4, respectively. The Battlers will play three games at the RussMatt Invitational with their last meeting coming against the Mavericks on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.

The Puma Report: Saint Joseph's College has won one game while losing two so far this season. They have five games scheduled at the RussMatt Invitational and will battle the Mavericks in their final game on Wednesday, March 11 at 9 a.m.

Scouting the Warriors: Wayne State University enters the week's full slate of games after dropping two of three games against Trevecca Nazarene University. The Warriors will play three games before their meeting with the Mavericks on Thursday, March 12. The two teams will play a doubleheader with the first game scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2015 season marks the 75th for Maverick baseball. MSU owns a 1,622-826-7 (.662) all-time record in 2,455 total games. Minnesota State has five Northern Intercollegiate Conference titles (1968, 1969, 1979, 1980, 1981), 19 North Central Conference championships (1970, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2007) and four Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference crowns (2010, 2011, 2012,2014). The program has 33 appearances in the NCAA Division II National Tournament (1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) and eight in the NCAA Division II World Series (1971, 1979, 1980, 1986, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014) including third-place finishes in 2012 and 2014 and a national runner-up performance in 2013.

Additionally, nine Mavericks have been selected All-Americans.

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