MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team will continue its 2020 season with a trip to Kansas for five games in the Emporia State Softball Classic.  Due to weather conditions in the area several schedule changes have been made, including a day one site change.  Friday, Feb. 21, the Mavericks will take on Washburn University and Missouri Western State in Topeka, Kan., at Washburn University.  Saturday, Minnesota State will play Missouri Southern State in Emporia, Kan., and Sunday they will play Northwest Missouri State and Emporia State, both in Emporia, Kan.

Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State (4-1, 0-0 NSIC) went 4-1 two weekends ago in the inaugural Minnesota State DII Softball Classic.

Impact Mavericks: Senior outfielder Carly Esselman leads the Mavericks in batting average with a .600 average and is tied for the team lead with five RBI. Hailey Forshee is tied with Esselman in RBI with five as well while hitting .412 from the plate.

Junior pitcher Mackenzie Ward leads the Mavericks with three wins and currently holds a .67 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .195 average.

Scouting Washburn: Washburn is located in Topeka, Kan., and is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The Ichabods are currently 5-7 on the season and are led by fourth year head coach Brenda Holaday.

Washburn is led on offense by Winter Henry who is currently batting .389 with 10 RBI.  In the circle, Reagan Hamm leads the way with a 3-2 record and a 1.92 ERA.

Saturday's game will be the 17th and between these two programs, the most recent of which was an 6-3 loss for the Mavericks last season.

Scouting Missouri Western State: Missouri Western State is located in Saint Joseph, Mo., and is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The Griffins are currently 1-3 on the season and are led by 18th year head coach Jen Bagley Trotter.

Missouri Western State is led on offense by Emma Hoffart who has recorded five RBI while batting .286.  In the circle, the Griffins rely on Kelly Uthe who has a 1-1 record and a 2.00 ERA.

Friday's game will be the 28th between these two programs, the most recent of which was a 9-6 win for the Mavericks last season.

Scouting Missouri Southern State: Missouri Southern State is located in Joplin, Mo., and is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The Lions are currently 5-3 on the season and are led by first year head coach Hallie Blackney.

Missouri Southern State is led on offense by Mackaila Leonhart who is batting .500 with seven RBI.  In the circle, Mikaela Cox leads the way with a 2-2 record and a 3.10 ERA.

Friday's game will be the 10th between these two programs, the most recent of which was a 13-11 loss for the Mavericks during the 2018 season.

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 2-7 on the season and are led by 14th year head coach Ryan Anderson.

Northwest Missouri State is led on offense by Sydne Brashear who is currently batting .429 with four RBI.  In the circle, Rachel Smith leads the way with a 1-3 record and a 5.82 ERA.

Sunday's games will be the 24th between these two programs, the most recent of which was an 7-0 win for the Mavericks earlier this season during the Minnesota State DII Softball Classic.

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 5-4 on the season and are led by fifth year head coach April Rosales.

Emporia State is led on offense by Hanna Steeby who is currently batting .448 with 13 RBI.  In the circle, Sydney Righi leads the way with a 2-0 record and a 1.73 ERA.

Saturday's games will be the 22nd between these two programs, the most recent of which was an 12-7 win for the Mavericks earlier this season during the Minnesota State DII Softball Classic.

Looking Ahead: Next weekend Minnesota State will have a week off before it travels to Clermont, Fla., for th NTC Spring games, ten total games over the course of spring break.