Photo Credit: photos.paap.net

MANKATO, Minn. --- The #23 Minnesota State softball team is set to open Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play when it hosts Concordia-St. Paul on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. The Mavericks will then welcome Augustana on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. MSU wraps up the weekend vs. Wayne State on Sunday with first pitch is set for 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. 

Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State enters the week having won 16 of its last 17 games. The Mavericks went 5-1 last weekend at the Hy-Vee Classic in St. Joseph, Mo. The weekend was highlighted by an 8-1 win over #18 Missouri Western State. 

In the Polls: The Mavericks appeared in the NFCA coaches poll at No. 23 after receiving votes the last two weeks. MSU was the only NSIC school featured in the poll. 

Vs. the Top-25: Minnesota State is 3-0 this season when facing a top-25 opponent. Most recently, the Mavericks topped #18 Missouri Western, 8-1. 

In the Circle: The Mavericks have two pitchers who have reached double-digit wins this season; senior Coley Ries (11-2) and junior Libby Bemis (11-2). Ries sets the standard in the NSIC in batters struck out (154), batters struck out looking  (48), and opposing batting average (.136). Bemis ranks second in the NSIC in both opposing batting average (.159) and batters struck out looking (30) while being slotted third in batters struck out (93). 

Swinging a Hot Bat: Minnesota State leads the NSIC in batting average with .340. Two Mavericks are batting above .400 this season, junior Jess Meidl (.463) and sophomore McKenzie Paap (.427). 

Maverick Scoring Machine: MSU has three players ranked in the top three for runs scored in the NSIC: sophomore McKenzie Paap (32), junior Jess Meidl (24), and freshman Amber Kral (24). 

Going Yard: Freshman Amber Kral sets the pace in the NSIC with eight home runs this season. She is hitting .359 this season with 28 hits, a team-high 24 RBI, seven doubles and is tied for a team-best three triples. 

Don't Get Caught: Sophomore McKenzie Paap has stolen a team-best 20 bases this season which slots her second in the NSIC. 

Scouting Concordia-St. Paul: Concordia-St. Paul is located in St. Paul, Minn. The Golden Bears enter the week on a three-game winning streak and an overall record of 8-13. In its most recent game, Concordia- St. Paul edged Hillsdale, 5-4, at The Spring Games in Clermont, Fla.  CSP is led by head coach Bob Bartel who is in his 13th season at the helm. 

These two teams met earlier this season at the Regional Crossover/Kelly LAAS Memorial Invite in St. Cloud, Minn. The Mavericks muscled past the Golden Bears, 9-0, in five innings. Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 50-18-2.

Freshman Justine Schattner leads Concordia-St. Paul with a team-best .438 batting average with 28 hits, 16 RBI, and seven doubles. Freshman Samantha Sullivan has struck out a team-high 37 batters with a 3.48 ERA. 

Scouting Augustana: Augustana is located in Sioux Falls, S.D., and has an overall record of 15-7. Most recently, the Vikings fell to Philadelphia University, 10-0, in six innings. Augustana is led by head coach Gretta Melsted who is in her 11th season. 

The last time these two programs met was last season in the NSIC Tournament when Minnesota State edged Augustana, 4-3. The Vikings lead the all-time series, 65-59.

Senior Sarah Kennedy leads Augustana in batting average (.479), hits (34), doubles (10), and home runs (5). Senior Lexy Pederson has posted a 1.20 ERA this season to go along with 39 strikeouts. Both players were named NSIC Player and Pitcher of the week on March 20.  

Scouting Wayne State: Wayne State is located in Wayne, Neb., and has an overall record of 6-18. Most recently, Wayne State snuck by Fort Hays State, 5-4, at the Missouri Western Tournament in St. Joseph, Mo.  The Wildcats are led by head coach Shelli Manson who is in her third season. 

The last time these two teams met was last season on April 24, 2016 when Minnesota State swept Wayne State, 5-4, and 9-0. The Mavericks lead the all-time series, 29-7.

Junior Katelyn Wobken leads the Wildcats with 25 hits, 11 RBI, and two home runs. In the circle, junior Nataliah Hopkins has struck out 39 batters with a team-best 3.44 ERA. 

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will continue NSIC play when it travels to Sioux Falls on April 4. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.