MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team clinched the seventh seed in the NSIC Tournament and takes on 10th seed Southwest Minnesota State on Thursday in Sioux Falls, S.D. First pitch is set for 10:00 a.m.
The Scenario: If the Mavericks win against Southwest Minnesota State they will face second-seeded Augustana at 2:00 p.m., at Sherman Field on Thursday. If Minnesota State loses, it will face the loser of the fourth-seeded St. Cloud State and fifth-seeded Northern State game at 4:00 p.m., at Bowden Field on Thursday.
Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks, who closed the regular season wining five of their last six games, finished with an overall record of 33-15 (14-10 NSIC). Minnesota State concluded regular season play splitting with U-Mary (5-8, 17-2) at the MSU Softball Diamond.
NCAA Central Region Rankings: Minnesota State is slotted sixth for the second consecutive week in the NCAA Central Region rankings. Winona State and Southern Arkansas hold the first and second spots in the rankings, respectively, while Augustana moved up to third. Minnesota Duluth (4th) and Arkansas Tech (5th) round out the top-five.
In the NSIC Tournament: Since joining the NSIC in 2009, Minnesota State has assembled a 24-12 record in NSIC Tournament action. Last season, the Mavericks went 4-0 and defeated Winona State, 1-0, to claim the programs third tournament title (2012, 2013, 2017).
All-NSIC Mavericks: Four Mavericks have received All-NSIC honors for their efforts this season. Senior outfielder Jessica Meidl was named to the All-NSIC First team for the second time in her career. Sophomore outfielder Carly Esselman claimed All-NSIC First Team and NSIC Gold Glove Team honors for the first time in her career. Freshman infielder Hannah McCarville also garnered All-NSIC First Team honors. Junior outfielder McKenzie Paap was named to the All-NSIC Second Team which marks the third All-NSIC honor of her career.
Nationally Speaking: As a team, Minnesota State ranks seventh in NCAA Division II in batting average with .355. The Mavericks also rank 15th in scoring with 338 runs this season. Senior Jessica Meidl ranks sixth in both hits (73) and doubles (20). Sophomore Carly Esselman is currently ranked tied for ninth in triples with seven.
Sophomore Surge: Sophomore Carly Esselman has a team-best .450 batting average this season. The Farmington, Minn., native ranks in the top-10 in six NSIC statistical categories: tied for first in triples (7), fourth in batting average (.450), fifth in stolen bases (23), sixth in RBI (50), ninth in runs (45) and 10th in hits (67). Esselman has registered 21 multiple hit games and 14 multiple RBI games this season.
The Meidl File: Senior Jessica Meidl is batting .442 this season and has scored a team-best 51 runs. Meidl has played in 240 games during her time as a Maverick which ties Ashley Thell (2014-17) for first on the MSU all-time games played list.
Earlier this season, Meidl passed Tatum Klein (2013-16) to become the MSU all-time leader in stolen bases with 110 on April 13 against Bemidji State. She also passed Lindsay Erickson (2011-14) to become the MSU all-time leader in career runs scored with 192 on March 3 against Hillsdale.
The outfielder also ranks in the top-10 in eight additional statistical categories in the NSIC: second in doubles (20), second in runs (51), third in RBI (57), fourth in hits (73), sixth in triples (3), ninth in stolen bases (21), fifth in batting average (.442) and seventh in slugging percentage (.727). The Lakeville, Minn., native has notched a team-best 23 multiple hit games with 14 multiple RBI games this season.
Swinging for the Fences: Minnesota State has amassed 34 home runs this season which ranks fourth in the NSIC. Nine Mavericks have registered home runs this season with sophomore Amber Kral setting the pace with eight home runs.
Streaking: Six Mavericks enter the week on hit streaks: junior McKenzie Paap (17), sophomore Torey Richards (6), senior Jessica Meidl (6), sophomore Kennedy Rieck (6), freshman Hannah McCarville (5)and freshman Hannah Hastings (2).
Scouting Southwest Minnesota State: Southwest Minnesota State (15-24, 10-14 NSIC) is located in Marshall, Minn., and has won its last two contests after sweeping Minnesota Crookston (9-6, 3-2). The Mustangs are led by fifth year head coach Jamie Dunn.
The last time these two teams met last season, Minnesota State blanked Southwest Minnesota State (8-0, 2-0) on the road. The Mavericks lead the all-time series, 64-22.
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