MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team returns to action this weekend as it travels to Clermont, Fla., for the NTC Spring Games.  Starting Saturday, the Mavericks will play ten games over the course of six days.

Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State (4-4) went 1-3 when it traveled to  Russellville, Ark. last weekend, earning an 8-7 win over Northwest Missouri State followed by losses to Washburn, Arkansas Tech, and Central Missouri.

Impact Mavericks: Senior catcher Cori Kennedy currently leads the team with a .520 batting average, a .760 slugging percentage, and a .571 on base percentage, after going 6-13 at the plate last weekend with two doubles to go along with two runs batted in.  Sophomore Emma Schifferle leads the team with six runs batted in and six runs scored.

Don't Get Caught: Junior McKenzie Paap has 5 stolen bases this season. The Excelsior, Minn., native has totaled 91 career stolen bases, which ranks third on the MSU all-time stolen bases list.

Scouting Western Oregon: Western Oregon is located in Monmouth, Ore., and is a member of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). The Wolves currently hold a 3-0 overall record on the season and are led by Lonny Sargent who is in his seventh year with the program.

The one previous meeting between these two teams was in the 2005 season, and the Mavericks won that game 6-2.

Scouting Saint  Anselm: Saint Anselm is located in Goffstown, N.H., and is a member of the Northeast-10 Conference (NE-10). The Hawks are currently 5-0 on the season, ranked second in the nation in DII, and are led by 6th year head coach Jill Gagnon. 

The last time these two teams met was in the 2017 season, and the Mavericks won that game 9-0.

Scouting Felician: Felician is located in Lodi and Rutherford, N.J., and is a member of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). The Golden Falcons are currently 2-3 on the season and are led by third year head coach Alexis Durando

Sunday's game will be the first ever meeting between Minnesota State and Felician University.  

Scouting Edinboro: Edinboro is located in Edinboro, Pa., and is a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). The Fighting Scots finished last season 6-25 and are led by 30th year head coach Dan Gierlak. 

The last time these two teams met was the 2016 season and the Mavericks won that game 2-1. 

Scouting University of the Sciences: The University of the Sciences is located in Philadelphia, Pa., and is a member of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference  (CACC). The Devils finished last season 12-32 and are led by 3rd year head coach Shannon Padula.  

The one previous meeting between these two programs occurred in 2011 and was a 9-3 victory for the Mavericks.

Scouting Wilmington: Wilmington University is located in New Castle, Del., and is a member of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference  (CACC). The Wildcats finished last season 37-17 and are led by sixth year head coach Mike Shehorn.

The most recent game between Minnesota State and Wilmington occurred last season.  In that game the Wildcats won 9-4.

Scouting Mercyhurst: Mercyhurst University is located in Erie, Pa., and is a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).  The Lakers are currently 1-7 this season and are led by 5th year head coach Leanne Baker.  

The last time these two teams met was the 2017 season and in that game the Mavericks won 8-1.

Scouting Southern Indiana: Southern Indiana is located in Warrensburg, Mo., and is a member of the Creat Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). The Screaming Eagles are 6-4 on the season and are led by 18th year head coach Sue Kunkle.  

The last time these two teams met was last season and the Mavericks won the game 5-1. 

Scouting Grand Valley State: Grand Valley State  is located in Allendale, Mich., and is a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC). The Lakers are 3-1 and ranked  16th this season.  Grand Valley State is led by fifth year head coach Dana Callihan.

The last time the Mavericks played the Lakers was last season, and Grand Valley State won that game 6-1.

Scouting Ashland: Ashland University is located in Ashland, Ohio, and is a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC). The Eagles are 3-1 on the season and led by 2nd year head coach Emlyn Knerem.  

The last time these two teams met was the 2012 season.  In that meeting, the Eagles defeated the Mavericks 5-4.

Looking Ahead: The Mavericks will travel to St. Joseph, Mo. for the Missouri Western Apple Market Tournament where they will play six games starting Friday, Mar. 22.