What's on Tap: Minnesota State baseball is scheduled to have its conference opener against St. Cloud State on March 17-18. A single game will be played at Millard North High School in Omaha, Neb., at 7:00 p.m., on Sunday with a doubleheader following, beginning at 10:00 a.m., on Monday.

Last Time on the Diamond: Minnesota State went 6-2 on the Florida trip winning the first two games 1-0 and 10-1 against UT-Tyler and Walsh, before falling to Grand Valley State 16-6. The Mavericks then won their next four games against Florida Southern (10-7), Gannon (7-2), Findlay (4-3) and West Virginia Wesleyan (11-4). MSU dropped its final game to Ashland 9-8.

Setting Records: Senior outfielder Jordan Hart surpassed Josh Smith for the all-time record for home runs at Minnesota State, which now currently sits at 30. Hart has already launched five home runs this season on the way to the record with four coming on the Florida trip. The four came against Grand Valley State, Florida Southern (2) and West Virginia Wesleyan to secure the record.

Hart led the Maverick offense on the trip by having a .529/.568/.971 slash line with four home runs, three doubles, 13 runs batted in, 11 runs scored, two walks and a hit by pitch. He also recorded the lone RBI in the 1-0 win over UT-Tyler to start the trip. 

Still Unscathed: Junior right-handed pitcher Jon Ludwig's earned run average remains untouched as he threw another scoreless outing in the 1-0 win against UT-Tyler.

In his second start of the season, Ludwig worked eight innings without giving up a run or allowing a walk. He collected nine strikeouts and allowed three hits in the win to improve his record to 2-0.

NSIC Players of the Week: Hart and Ludwig were honored with Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Player and Pitcher of the week for their performances through the first three games of the Florida trip.

Hart earned player of the week honors after batting .700 with a home run, a double, six RBI, three runs scored and two walks in the first three games. That was Hart's second time receiving the NSIC Player of the Week. Ludwig was honored after throwing his scoreless outing against UT-Tyler, while holding a .107 batting average-against and collecting nine strikeouts. This was Ludwig's first time being honored with NSIC Pitcher of the Week.

Scouting St. Cloud State: The Huskies have started the season 12-2 and are up to seventh in the national rankings after going 8-1 on a trip in Arizona from March 4-10. As a team, St. Cloud State is hitting .343, slugging .470 with 42 extra base hits and have an on-base percentage of .429. As a pitching staff, the Huskies have a 3.05 earned run average with 137 strikeouts and allowing 29 walks.

Senior infielder Mathew Meyer, junior outfielder Lenny Walker and senior infielder Jordan Joseph are all hitting over .400 through 14 games. Meyer leads the way with 23 hits, while Walker has 19 RBI. Senior right-hander Dominic Austing, senior left-hander Sheldon Miks and junior right-hander Blake Flint lead the pitching staff with sub-3.00 ERA's. Dominic has the lowest ERA at 2.08 and Miks has 27 stirkeouts in 23 innings to go along with his team leading three wins.

Facing St. Cloud State: MSU leads the all-time series versus SCSU 99-61. Both teams split the series last season in St. Cloud Minn., on Apr. 22-23. The Mavericks took the first game 5-3 before falling in the next two 9-6 and 2-1 to the Huskies. MSU took the series finale 8-2 to earn the split.

Up Next: Minnesota State is scheduled to continue NSIC play with two home series, first against Southwest Minnesota State on Wednesday March 20 at 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. The Mavericks will then take on Minot State in a three game weekend series on March 23-24. Games will begin at 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, then 12:00 p.m., on Sunday.