MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team returns to action this weekend as it travels to Conway, Ark., after the Arkansas-Monticello Softball Classic was canceled due to poor weather..  Saturday, Minnesota State will play Washburn at 1:00 p.m., before taking on Northwest Missouri State at 3:30 p.m.  On Sunday, Minnesota State will wrap up the weekend with a game against Central Missouri scheduled for 10:30 a.m., before facing off against Arkansas Tech at 1:00 p.m.
 
Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State (3-1) went 3-1 when it traveled to the Regional Crossover/Kelly Laas Memorial Invite.  In the first game of the season, the Mavericks came up short, 5-2, against Missouri Western State before winning the rematch later that day by a score of 9-6.  The following day Minnesota State defeated UW-Parkside 10-6 before wrapping up the invitational with a 2-1 win over Nebraska-Kearney.  

Impact Mavericks: Senior catcher Cori Kennedy currently leads the team with a .583 batting average, a .917 slugging percentage, and a .667 on base percentage, after going 7-12 at the plate last weekend with two doubles and a triple, to go along with two walks.  Senior McKenzie Paap and junior Kennedy Rieck lead the team with four runs batted in each.

Don't Get Caught: Senior McKenzie Paap has 2 stolen bases this season. The Excelsior, Minn., native has totaled 88 career stolen bases, which ranks third on the MSU allt-ime stolen bases list.

Scouting Washburn: Washburn is located in Topeka, Kan., and is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The Ichabods currently hold a 2-8 overall record. Washburn is led by 3rd year head coach Brenda Holaday. 

The last time these two teams met was the last season in the NCAA Regional Tournament.  In that game the Mavericks topped the Ichabods, 10-6. The all-time series is currently 8-7 in favor of Minnesota State  

Scouting Northwest Missouri State: Northwest Missouri State is located in Maryville, Mo., and is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The Bearcats are currently 1-1 on the season and are led by
13th year head coach Ryan Anderson. 

The last time these two teams met was last season. the Mavericks topped the Bearcats, 7-6. Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 17-3. 

Scouting Central Missouri: The University of Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, Mo., and is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The Jennies finished last season 30-22 and are led by 13th year head coach Susan Anderson.  

The last time these two teams met was the 2017 season. the Mavericks topped the Jennies, 2-1 in that game. Central Missouri leads the all-time series, 9-8. 

Scouting Arkansas Tech: Arkansas Tech is located in Russellville, Ark., and is a member of the Great American Conference (GAC). The Golden Suns are currently 5-3 on the season. Arkansas Tech is led by 6th year head coach Kristina McSweeney. 

The last time these two teams met was the 2017 season. the Mavericks topped the Golden Suns 8-0,in that game. Arkansas Tech leads the all-time series 3-2.  

Looking Ahead: The Mavericks will travel to Clermont, Fla. for the NTC Springs Games starting Saturday, March 2nd.  The Spring games will see Minnesota State play ten games over the course of six days.