MANKATO, Minn. --- The #14 Minnesota State softball team will travel to Southwest Minnesota State tomorrow with the doubleheader scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. The Mavericks will then return home for a doubleheader tilt with Northern State beginning at 1:00 p.m, on Saturday. MSU then wraps up the week on Sunday against MSU Moorhead on senior day. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.  

Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State, 38-6 (16-2 NSIC), enters the week on a eight game win streak. Most recently, the Mavericks swept Bemidji State, 14-1, and, 3-2. 

In the Polls: Minnesota State remained in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Poll for the fourth consecutive week. The Mavericks climb up to No. 14 after being slotted No. 18 previously. 

Senior Day: MSU will honor five seniors before Sunday's doubleheader with MSU Moorhead. Minnesota State will recognize pitcher Coley Ries, outfielder Alyssa Rickels, infielder Dana Mogren, infielder Ashley Thell, and infielder Samantha Buhmann. 

All-Time Wins Leader: Following the win over Bemidji State on Saturday, senior pitcher Coley Ries earned her 98th career win to pass Carri Tschida and move in first all-time at Minnesota State. 

Milestone Watch:  Freshman Amber Kral is 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 (20-2) and junior Libby Bemis (18-4). Ries leads the NSIC in batters struck out (245), batters struck out looking  (78), and opposing batting average (.141). Bemis is slotted third in the NSIC in both opposing batting average (.195), batters struck out (122), and batters struck out looking (39).

Sweeping the Competition: MSU has swept seven NSIC opponents so far this season. Last weekend, the Mavericks swept both Minnesota Crookston (12-1, 9-0) and Bemidji State (14-1, 3-2). 

Swinging a Hot Bat: Minnesota State is ranked second in the NSIC in batting average with .345. Two Mavericks are batting above .400 this season, junior Jess Meidl (.440) and sophomore McKenzie Paap (.423) 

Getting Runs Across: Senior Ashley Thell ranks first in the NSIC with 44 RBI this season. Freshman Amber Kral is slotted third with 42 RBI.  

Don't Get Caught: Sophomore McKenzie Paap has stolen a NSIC leading 32 bases this season. 

Scouting Southwest Minnesota State: Southwest Minnesota State is located in Marshall, Minn., and has an overall record of 17-17 and 8-10 NSIC. Most recently, the Mustangs downed Minot State, 9-7. SMSU is led by head coach Jamie Dunn who is in her fourth season.

The last time these two schools met was last season when the Mavericks edged the Mustangs, 5-0, and, 3-2, in Mankato. Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 62-22. 

Senior Taylor Koloc sets the standard with a team-best .324 batting average including 36 hits, five doubles, five home runs, and three triples. Senior Alex O' Connor has thrown 88 strikeouts this season with a 3.09 ERA. 

Scouting Northern State: Northern State is located in Aberdeen, S.D., and has an overall record of 24-17-1 and 9-8-1 NSIC. Most recently, the Wolves swept Wayne State, 9-8, and,10-2. Northern State is led by head coach Kristi Villar who is in her seventh season. 

The last time these two programs met last season, the Wolves downed the Mavericks, 3-2, and, 9-1. However, Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 16-4. 

Sophomore Jenna Helgeson has delivered a team-best 48 hits with 12 doubles and two triples to go along with a .372 batting average. Senior Rachel Albright has a held opponents batting average to .253 while posting a 2.40 ERA. 

Scouting MSU Moorhead: MSU Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minn., and has an overall record of 8-27 and 3-15 NSIC. The Dragons enter the week on a five game losing streak and most recently fell to Augustana, 6-1. MSU Moorhead is led by head coach Kelsey Fehl who is in her seventh season. 

These two programs met last season when the Mavericks upended the Dragons, 6-0, and, 7-3. Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 33-7. 

Sophomore Taylor Roddie sets the standard with a .366 batting average and adds 41 hits and three home runs. Freshman Jordan Hall has a team-best 44 strikeouts with a 3.79 ERA. 

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will continue NSIC play as it travels to Upper Iowa on April 26.  The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.