Photo Credit: photos.paap.net

MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team is set to take part in the Missouri Western Tournament in St. Joseph, Mo., this weekend. 

Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State enters the week on an 11-game winning streak after going 10-0 at The Spring Games in Clermont, Fla., last week. The week was highlighted by a 2-1 win over #13 Southern Indiana which is the Mavericks second win over a top 25 opponent this season. Additionally, MSU recorded four shutout wins over Urbana (15-0), Wilmington (9-0), Saint Anselm (9-0), and Holy Family (6-0). 

Scouting Northeastern State: Northeastern State is located in Tahlequah, Okla., and has a record of 11-12 and a 4-2  Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) record. The Riverhawks are led by head coach Clay Davis who is in his fifth season. 

Junior Paige Gann has a team-high .403 batting average with 27 hits including eight home runs and five doubles. Senior Jennifer Wolf has struck out a team-leading 31 batters and adds a 3.00 ERA.

The last time these two schools met was during the 2015 season at the UAM 8-State Classic. The Riverman downed the Mavericks, 13-8, and lead the all-time series, 1-0. 

Scouting Washburn: Washburn is located in Topeka, Kan., and has a overall record of 11-18 and a 1-7 MIAA record. The Ichabods are led by head coach Brenda Holaday who is in her first season. 

Senior Erica Harper has a team-best .338 batting average with 24 hits with six doubles and four home runs. Junior Kelsee Henry has struck out a team-high 34 batters with a 3.52 ERA.  

The last time these two teams squared off was last season at the Missouri Western Tournament. Minnesota State blanked Washburn, 6-0. However, the Ichabods lead the all-time series, 7-6. 

Scouting Nebraska-Kearney: Nebraska-Kearney is located in Kearney , Neb., and has a 1-21 overall record and 0-2 MIAA record. The Lopers are led by head coach Holley Carnes who is in her 15th season. 

Freshman Macey Nelson has a .350 batting percentage and has contributed 21 hits and five RBI this season. Junior Meg Housholder has a team-best 27 strikeouts with a 8.29 ERA. 

These two teams met earlier this season at the Regional Crossover/ Kelly LAAS Memorial Invite in St. Cloud, Minn. The Mavericks grinded out a 2-0 win and lead the all-time series, 12-4. 

Scouting Northwest Missouri State: Northwest Missouri State is located in Maryville, Mo., and has an overall record of 10-6 and 2-0 MIAA record. The Bearcats enter the week riding a seven game win streak. Northwest Missouri State is led by head coach Ryan Anderson who is in his 11th season. 

Freshman Kaitlin Weis has a team-high .411 batting average with 23 hits and 18 RBI. Junior Holly Posegate has thrown a team-leading 16 strikeouts with a 2.60 ERA. 

The last time these two teams met was  last season at the NCAA Regionals in Russellville, Ark. The Mavericks edged the Bearcats, 1-0, and lead the all-time series, 14-3. 

Scouting Pittsburg State: Pittsburg State is located in Pittsburg, Kan., and has an overall record of 17-7 and a 3-1 MIAA record. The Gorillas are led by head coach Elizabeth Economon who is in her seventh season. 

Freshman Kala Holder has delivered a team-best 24 hits with four doubles, two home runs and one triple and adds a .324 hitting percentage. Junior Emmie Robertson has tossed  team-high 117 strikeouts with a 1.12 ERA this season. 

These two teams met earlier this season at the UAM 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark. The Gorillas dispatched the Mavericks, 5-2. However, Minnesota State leads the all time series, 8-4.

Scouting #18 Missouri Western State: Missouri Western State is located in Saint Joseph, Mo., and has an overall record of 18-4 and a 2-0 MIAA record. The Griffons are ranked 18th in this weeks NFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll. Missouri Western State is led by head coach Jen Bagley Trotter who is in her 16th season. 

Junior  Shelbie Atwell has connected on 34 hits with 11 doubles and two home runs to go along with a .453 batting average. Junior Barba Billingsley has a 2.06 ERA and has posted 43 strikeouts. 

These two teams met earlier this season at the UAM 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark. The Griffons snuck by the Mavericks, 3-2. Missouri Western State leads the all-time series, 11-9. 

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State is set to open conference play when it hosts Concordia-St. Paul on March 28. First pitch is scheduled 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.