Photo credit: photos.paap.net

MANKATO, Minn. --- The #18 Minnesota State softball team returns home for a six-game home stretch when it welcomes NSIC leading Winona State on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. The Mavericks will then host Minnesota Crookston on Friday at 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m., before finishing the week vs. Bemidji State on Saturday. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. 

Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State (32-6, 10-2 NSIC) enters the week having won its last two games. Most recently, Minnesota State blanked St. Cloud State, 8-0, in five innings. 

In the Polls: Minnesota State remained in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Poll for the third consecutive week. The Mavericks move up to No. 18 after being ranked No. 21 previously. 

Milestone Watch:  Following the 9-4 win over St. Cloud State, senior pitcher Coley Ries now has 95 career wins. Carri Tschida (1986-89) is the all-time leader with 97 career wins. 

Freshman Amber Kral is also on milestone watch with her NSIC leading 11 home runs this season. Abby Wagner (2006) is the all-time leader for home runs in a season with 13. 
 
In the Circle: The Mavericks have two pitchers who have reached double-digit wins this season; senior Coley Ries (17-2) and junior Libby Bemis (15-4). Ries leads the NSIC in batters struck out (215), batters struck out looking  (67), and opposing batting average (.142). Bemis is positioned third in the NSIC in both opposing batting average (.194), batters struck out (110), and batters struck out looking (33).

Going Yard: The Mavericks had four players post two home runs last week: senior Samantha Buhmann, senior Ashley Thell, junior Jess Meidl, and freshman Amber Kral.  

Swinging a Hot Bat: Minnesota State is ranked second in the NSIC in batting average with .343. Two Mavericks are batting above .400 this season, junior Jess Meidl (.450) and sophomore McKenzie Paap (.419) 

Getting Runs Across: Junior Jess Meidl (36) and freshman Amber Kral (36) lead the NSIC in RBI.  

Don't Get Caught: Sophomore McKenzie Paap has stolen a team-best 26  bases this season which slots her second in the NSIC. 

Scouting Winona State: Winona State is located in Winona, Minn., and has an overall of 31-6 and 12-0 NSIC. The Warriors have won their last 14 games and most recently blanked Bemidji State, 9-0. Winona State is led by head coach Greg Jones who is in 17th season at the helm. 

The last time these two schools met was last season when the Warriors edged the Mavericks, 3-1, in Winona, Minn. However, Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 46-42. 

Sophomore Lani Van Zyl leads the Warriors with 47 hits, 35 RBI, and a .427 batting average. Junior  McKenna Larson has a 14-2 record this season including 1.02 era which ranks second in the NSIC.  

Scouting Minnesota Crookston: Minnesota Crookston is located in Crookston, Minn., and has a overall record of 11-22-1 and 1-10 NSIC. The Golden Eagles have lost their last seven straight contests and most recently fell at Upper Iowa, 7-2. Minnesota Crookston is led by heach coach Don Stopa who is in his third season. 

The last time these two schools met was last season when the Mavericks dismantled the Golden Eagles, 12-2, in six innings. Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 16-0. 

Junior Victoria Bayliss sets the pace with a team-best 34 hits, eight RBI, and a .318 batting average. Senior Baily Braatz has a 4.55 era to go along with a team-high 48 strikeouts.  

Scouting Bemidji State: Bemidji State is located in Bemidji, Minn., and has an overall record of 17-10 and 7-5 NSIC. The Beavers have lost their last three straight games and most recently dropped a 9-0 decision to Winona State. Bemidji State is led by head coach Rick Supinski who is in his fourth season.

The last time these two schools met was last season when the Mavericks blanked the Beavers, 5-0. Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 24-1. 

Sophomore Jessica Burlingame has connected on a team-best 15 hits with seven RBI and a .405 era. Senior Jessica Yost has a 7-1 record this season including a 1.24 era which positions her third in the NSIC. 

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will continue NSIC play as it travels to Southwest Minnesota State on April 18. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.