MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team travels to Bentonville, Ark., to take part in the UAM 8-State Classic. 

The Mavericks take on Harding and Missouri Western State on Friday with first pitch set for 9:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m. On Saturday, Minnesota State battles Arkansas Tech at 9:00 a.m., and Arkansas Monticello at 11:00 a.m. The Mavericks conclude the road trip on Sunday with Pittsburg State at 9:00 a.m., and Central Missouri at 11:00 a.m. 

Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks opened the season at the Regional Crossover / Kelly LAAS Memorial Invite in St. Cloud, Minn., last weekend. On day one, Minnesota State picked up a sweep with wins over Concordia-St. Paul, 9-0, and Viterbo, 12-0. The Mavericks closed the weekend grinding out a 2-0 win over Nebraska-Kearney and the rolling past Wisconsin-Parkside, 12-3.

Against Concordia-St. Paul, MSU jumped out to a quick 2-0 edge in the first inning before tacking on seven runs in the third and fourth inning. The Mavericks totaled 10 hits including one home run from freshman Amber Kral.

Against Viterbo, Minnesota State took control with 9-0 lead in the third inning and did not look back. Pitcher junior Libby Bemis picked up the win for the Mavericks as she pitched 5.0 innings and struck out 12 batters. 

Against Nebraska-Kearney, Minnesota State was able to score a run early in the first inning until both teams went scoreless for three innings before the Mavericks added a run in the fifth inning. Bemis earned the win after pitching a complete game and striking out seven batters while giving up only one hit.

Against Wisconsin-Parkside, MSU used a seven run third inning highlighted by a two run RBI from senior Samantha Buhmann to take a 10-0 lead. Senior pitcherColey Ries got the win in five innings while recording seven strikeouts. 

Scouting Harding: Harding is located in Searcy, Ark., and has an overall record of 6-0 and is a member of the Great American Conference (GAC). The Bisons are led by head coach Phil Berry who is in his fourth season. 

Senior Brookelynn Moon leads Harding with a team-high nine hits and a .529 batting average. Freshman Autumn Humes has struckout 25 batters this season and has a 1.25 earned run average. 

This will mark the first ever meeting between these schools.  

Scouting Missouri Western State: Missouri Western State is located in Saint Joseph, Mo., and has an overall record of 6-2 and is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The Griffons are led by head coach Jen Bagley Trotter who is in her 16th season at the helm. 

Shelbie Atwell is posting a team-best 12 hits with a .462 batting average. Barbara Billingsley has struck out a team-high 13 batters this season and has a 2.96 earned run average. 

These two schools last met at the the MIAA/NSIC Crossover during the 2016 season. The Griffons topped the Mavericks, 3-1. MWS holds a slight edge in the all-time series, 10-9-0. 

Scouting Arkansas Tech: Arkansas Tech is located in Russellville, Ark., and has an overall record of 5-3 and is a member of the Great American Conference (GAC). The Golden Suns are led by head coach Kristina McSweeney who is in her fifth season. 

Senior Jalissa Gum has totaled 12 hits this season and adds a .462 batting average. Sophomore Megan Goodnight and junior Alix Boulanger have each posted four strikeouts on the season. 

These two teams met last season in the NCAA regional in Russellville, Ark. The Golden Suns edged the Mavericks, 2-0, in 11 innings.  Arkansas Tech leads the all-time series, 3-1. 

Scouting Arkansas Monticello: Arkansas Monticello is located in Monticello, Ark., and has an overall record of 2-2 and is a member of the Great American Conference (GAC). The Boll Weevils are led by head coach Alvy Early who has been coaching softball since 1997 and also women's basketball since 1979. 

Freshman Jordan Herbner is posting a team-high seven hits this season and has scored six runs. Senior Kendra Coleman has struck out a team-best 14 batters this season. 

These two teams have never played each other. Both scheduled games the last two seasons have been cancelled due to weather. 

Scouting Pittsburg State: Pittsburg State is located in Pittsburg, Kan., and has an overall record of 6-4 and is a member of the Mid-America Athletics Association (MIAA). The Gorillas are led by head coach Elizabeth Economon who is in her seventh season. 

Freshman Kala Holder has connected on a team-leading 10 hits this season with a .323 batting average. Junior Emmie Robertson has appeared in nine games and has struck out a team-high 52 batters. 

The last time these two programs squared off was in the 2015 season at the UAM 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark. The Gorillas upended the Mavericks, 8-0. However, Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 8-3. 

Scouting Central Missouri: Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, Mo., and has an overall record of 5-6 and is a member of hte Mid-America Athletics Association (MIAA). The Jennies are led by Susan Anderson who is her 11th season. 

Allie Dishinger and Hailey Crabtree have each connected on nine hits, five RBI, and one home run this season. Alexa Bradley has totaled nine strikeouts with a 1.69 era.

The last time these two programs met was at the NSIC/MIAA Crossover last season in St. Cloud, Minn. The Mavericks cruised past the Jennies, 6-0. Central Missouri leads the all-time series, 9-7. 

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will travel to Clermont, Fla., on Mar. 4 to take part in the Spring Games. The Mavericks will face Walsh at 1:00 p.m.