MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team is set to open its 2019 season against Missouri Western State on Friday with a doubleheader scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m., in St. Cloud, Minn. The Mavericks will then face off with UW-Parkside Saturday at 6:00 p.m., and end the weekend with Nebraska Kearny at 8:30 p.m.
 
NSIC Preseason Poll: The Minnesota State softball team was picked to finish third in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Preseason Coaches' Poll.  The Mavericks garnered 180 total points to be slotted third. Winona State was picked to finish first in the poll with 12 first-place and 222 total votes. Augustana was slotted second with four first-place votes and 212 total votes. 

Preseason Accolades: Junior outfielder Carly Esselman was named the Mavericks player to watch this season.  The Farmington, Minn. native started in all of MSU's 54 games in right field and led the Maverick offense in several categories including batting average (.438), triples (8), walks (29) and stolen bases (24).  She boasted a 1.000 fielding percentage and was named to the All-NSIC First Team and the NSIC Gold Glove Team.   Esselman also received CoSIDA Academic All-District and NSIC All-Academic Team honors in the 2018 season.  

Sophomore Mackenzie Ward was named the Mavericks Pitcher to Watch this season. The Clive, Iowa native made 42 appearances in the circle for the Mavericks, including 34 starts and threw 16 complete games and five shutouts.  She held opposing batters to a .259 batting average and owned a 2.83 ERA and struck out 122 batters.  Ward was named the NSIC Pitcher of the Week after posting a 3-0 record and a 0.00 ERA, which included shutouts against Missouri Western State and Northwest Missouri State and finished her season with a 19-11 record

Returning Mavericks: Minnesota State returns 14 letterwinners from last seasons team including nine starters: Julia Bastian, Carly Esselman, McKenzie Paap, Lexi Schoper, Hailey Forshee, Amber Kral, Caitlin Stone , Courtney Potter, Hannah McCarville, Cori Kennedy, Morgan Keim-Wolfe, Mackenzie Ward, Torey Richards, Hannah Hastings, Kennedy Rieck.

New Mavericks: Minnesota State will have two new faces on the roster this season including two freshman. The two freshman are: Haylee Bridges and Kayla Moky.

Minnesota State History: The 2019 season will mark as the 45th season for the Maverick softball program. MSU owns an all-time record of 1,308-765-7 (.631) in 2,080 games, and has four North Central Conference (NCC) titles (1984, 1987, 1989, 2007), five  NSIC titles (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) and 17 appearances in the NCAA Division II National Tournament (1984, 1987, 1989, 1995, 1997, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) to its credit. The Mavericks claimed their first National Championship in 2017 after defeating No. 1 Angelo State, 5-1, on May 29, 2017 in Salem, Va. 

All-NSIC:The Mavericks return three  players who received All-NSIC recognition last season. The three players include: Carly Esselman (First Team, Gold Glove), Hannah McCarville (First Team), and McKenzie Paap (Second Team).

Scouting Missouri Western State: Missouri Western State is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The Griffons finished last season with an overall record of 25-29. Missouri Western State is led by Jen Bagley Trotter who is in her 18th season. 

The last time these two teams met was last season. In that game Minnesota State edged Missouri Western State, 11-7, in St. Joseph, Mo., and the Mavericks own an all-time 14-11 advantage in the series. 

Scouting UW-Parkside: UW- Parkside is located in Somers, Wis., and is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). The Rangers finished last season with a 21-27 overall record. UW-Parkside is led by 2nd year head coach Kristin Ortman. 

The last time these two teams met was the 2017 season.  In that game the Mavericks topped the Rangers, 12-3, at the Regional Crossover/ Kelly Laas Memorial Invite. The all-time series is tied 3-3 between the two teams.  

Scouting Nebraska-Kearney: Nebraska Kearney is located in Kearny, Neb., and is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The Lopers finished last season with a 16-29 record. Nebraska Kearney is led by 19th year head coach Kolly Carnes. 

The last time these two teams met was last season. the Mavericks topped the Lopers, 12-0,  at the Regional Crossover/ Kelly Laas Memorial Invite. Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 14-4. 

Looking Ahead: The Mavericks will travel to Bentonville, Ark., for the Arkansas-Monticello Softball Classic for six games.  Friday, Feb. 15, Minnesota State will take on Harding starting at 9:00 a.m., before facing off with Arkensas-Monticello at 1:00 p.m.  Saturday afternoon, the Mavericks will face Arkansas Tech at 1:00 p.m., before taking on Northwest Missouri State at 3:00 p.m.  Finally, on Sunday, Minnesota State will face off against Pittsburg State  at 9:00 a.m., and then matchup with Central Missouri at 11:00 a.m.