MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team returns to action this weekend as it travels to St. Joseph, Mo., for the Hy-Vee Softball classic to compete in six games.
 
Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State (12-6) went 8-2 during the NTC Spring games when it traveled to  Clermont, Fla., highlighted by a 7-2 win over  #1 ranked Saint Anselm.  

Impact Mavericks: Senior catcher Cori Kennedy currently leads the team with a .466 batting average, a .707 slugging percentage, and a .508 on base percentage.  Sophomore Emma Schifferle leads the team with 17 runs batted in and is fourth on the team with 11 runs scored.  

Scouting Northeastern State: Northeastern State is located in Tahlequah, Okla., and is a member of the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).The RiverHawks are 16-11 on the season and are currently riding a six game win streak.  Northeastern State is led by 7th year head coach Clay Davis.  

The RiverHawks are led by Addie Elbon who is batting .376 and 18 runs scored.  Gail Young is the Northeastern State ace with 10 wins on the season and a 2.66 ERA.

Thursday's game marks the third meeting between the teams, with the most recent game being a 6-2 win for the Mavericks last season.  

Scouting Central Missouri: Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, Mo., and is a member of the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).  The Jennies are currently 10-8 on the season and are led by 13th year head coach Susan Anderson.

Central Missouri is led on offense by Jessica Sader who is batting .429 with 14 RBI on the season.  In the circle, Jordan Johnson has a 5-2 record to go along with a 2.62 ERA.

The last time these two teams met was in the 2017 season, and the Mavericks won that game 2-1

Scouting Pittsburg State: Pittsburg State is located in Pittsburg, Kan., and is a member of the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). The Gorillas currently hold a 14-13 overall record on the season and are led by Ashley Balazs who is in her second year with the program.

Pittsburg State is led on offense by Kala Holder who is batting .405 on the season with 24 runs scored and eight doubles on the season.  In the circle, the Gorillas are led by Halle Brin who has eight wins and is giving up a 2.93 ERA.  

The most recent meeting came last season with Pittsburg State winning 2-1.  

Scouting Emporia State: Emporia State is located in Emporia, Kan., and is a member of the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). The Hornets are currently 6-15 on the season and are led by 4th year head coach April Rosales.

Emporia State's offense is led by Kenzie Garvin who is batting .338 on the season with 12 runs scored.

Friday's game will be the 19th between these two programs, the most recent of which was a 5-4 win for the Mavericks last season.

Scouting Washburn: Washburn is located in Topeka, Kan., and is a member of the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). The Ichabods are currently 12-14 on the season and are led by 3rd year head coach Brenda Holaday.  

Washburn is led on offense by Samantha Stallbaumer who is hitting .424 with 24 runs scored.  In the circle, Raegen Hamm leads the team with eight wins and a 2.54 ERA.  

The last time these two teams met was last season in the NCAA Regional tournament in a game that the Mavericks won 10-6.

Looking Ahead: The Mavericks will open conference play with a doubleheader against Concordia-St. Paul Tuesday, March 26, with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Mankato, Minn.  Any scheduling changes will be announced at msumavericks.com.