Photo Credit: photos.paap.net

MANKATO, Minn. --- The #21 Minnesota State softball team is set to begin a six-game road swing. The Mavericks travel to Sioux Falls on Tuesday with first pitch set for 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. MSU then travels North to Minnesota Duluth on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m., before finishing the road trip at St. Cloud State on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.  

Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State (28-4, 6-0 NSIC) enters the week having won its last seven games including three straight sweeps. Most recently, Minnesota State breezed past Wayne State, 12-1, and 16-1, in five innings at the MSU Softball Diamond.  

In the Polls: Minnesota State remained in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Poll for the second consecutive week. The Mavericks move up to No. 21 after being slotted No. 23 previously. 

Milestone Watch: Following the 12-1 win over Wayne State, senior pitcher Coley Ries earned her 92nd career win to tie Kendra Huetll (2009-12) for second all-time. Carri Tschida (1986-89) is the all-time leader with 97 career wins. 
 
In the Circle: The Mavericks have two pitchers who have reached double-digit wins this season; senior Coley Ries (14-2) and junior Libby Bemis (14-2). Ries leads the NSIC in batters struck out (190), batters struck out looking (64), and opposing batting average (.141). Bemis is slotted third in the NSIC in both opposing batting average (.169), batters struck out (98), and batters struck out looking (29)

Swinging a Hot Bat: Minnesota State leads the NSIC in batting average with .349. Two Mavericks are batting above .400 this season, junior Jess Meidl (.490) and sophomore McKenzie Paap (.427).  Additionally, Meidl (48) and Paap (43) own the top two spots for hits in the NSIC. 

Maverick Scoring Machine: MSU outscored its opponents', 45-8, last week. The Mavericks tallied a season-best 16 runs in game two vs. Wayne State. 

Going Yard: Freshman Amber Kral connected on her ninth home run of the season in game one vs. Augustana. She currently leads the NSIC with nine home runs and has a .351 batting average this season. 

Don't Get Caught: Sophomore McKenzie Paap has stolen a team-best 25  bases this season which positions her second in the NSIC. 

Scouting Sioux Falls: Sioux Falls is located in Sioux Falls, S.D., and has an overall record of 16-15 and 3-3 NSIC. Most recently, the Cougars were swept by Winona State, 6-1, and, 8-0. Sioux Falls is led by head coach Kelsey Thompson who is in her fourth season. 

The last time these two schools met was last season on March 29, 2016 when the Mavericks edged the Cougars, 5-4, and, 8-2, at the MSU Softball Diamond. Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 9-0. 

Freshman Emma Schifferle leads the Cougars with 34 hits and has a .318 batting average. Freshman Courtney Mathews has a team-best 3.68 era with 50 strikeouts this season. 

Scouting Minnesota Duluth: Minnesota Duluth is located in Duluth, Minn., and has an overall record of 21-9 and 5-1 NSIC. Most recently, the Bulldogs fell to Minot State, 9-6. Minnesota Duluth is lead by head coach Jen Walter who is in her second season. 

The last time these two teams met was last season in the NSIC Tournament when the Mavericks bounced the Bulldogs, 10-1, in five innings. Minnesota State holds the edge in the all-time series, 43-36. 

Junior Natalie Wright has registered a team-high 36 hits with 23 runs and a .333 batting average. Senior Sam Hartman leads the Bulldogs with a 1.65 era and team-best 52 strike outs.  

Scouting St. Cloud State: St. Cloud State is located in St. Cloud, Minn., and has an overall record of 20-12 and 4-2 NSIC. The Huskies enter the week on a four-game win streak and most recently topped U-Mary, 1-0, and, 6-4. St. Cloud State is led by head coach Paula U'Ren who is in her 20th season at the helm. 

The last time these two teams met was last season on March 25, 2016. The Huskies took game one of the doubleheader, 3-1, while the Mavericks won game two, 1-0. Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 73-53. 

Senior Alyssa Coletto has a team-high 39 hits with 15 runs and adds a .433 batting average. Senior Megan Hedstrom has a team-leading 2.94 era with 59 strikeouts. Additionally, she has tallied four saves this season. 

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will continue NSIC play when it hosts Winona State on April 12. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.