MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team will open conference play with a pair of doubleheaders Friday and Saturday. Friday afternoon, the Mavericks will host Minot State with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the MSU Softball Diamond and Saturday they will take on U-Mary with first pitch scheduled for noon.

Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State (11-2, 0-0 NSIC) went 4-0 two weekends ago in the Hy-Vee Softball Classic with wins over Missouri Western State, Missouri Southern, #9 Rogers State and Northwest Missouri State.

Impact Mavericks: In the opening weeks of the 2021 season, junior Torey Richards is leading the Maverick offense batting .463 with 19 hits including three doubles and a triple to with four RBI. Senior Carly Esselman is the third leading hitter for Minnesota State batting .390 with 16 hits, six doubles and six RBI. Senior Hannah McCarville is leading the team in RBI with 13 while batting .417 along with two homeruns.

In the circle Mackenzie Ward is 6-2 with a 1.19 ERA with 87 strikeouts while McKayla Armbruster is 5-0 with a 0.23 ERA and 22 strikeouts.

Scouting Minot State: Minot State is located in Minot, N.D., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Hornets are 9-7 (2-0 NSIC) to start the season and are led by second year head coach Nat Wagner.

Friday's games will be the 17th and 18th all-time meeting between the two programs with the most recent meeting being a 12-7 victory for the Mavericks.

The Beavers are led on offense by Jamie Odlum who is hitting .535 with nine RBI and seven doubles. 

In the circle, Trinity Valentine leads Minot State with a 4-3 record posting a 2.92 ERA and striking out 35 batters.

Scouting the University of Mary: The University of Mary is located in Bismarck, N.D., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Marauders are currently 1-14 (0-2 NSIC) on the season and are led by first year coach Steph Roan

Saturday's game will be the 23rd and 24th between these two programs, the most recent of which was a 3-2 win for the Marauders in 2019.

Mariah Sanchez leads U-Mary on offense batting .380 with 19 hits, four runs scored and a pair of RBI.

In the circle, Alissa Alvorado paces the Marauders with a 1-2 record, a 5.43 ERA and 20 strikeouts.

Looking Ahead: After this weekend's slate of games, the Mavericks start a six game road trip which begins with a Wednesday double-header against the Winona State Warriors Apr. 7 before Saturday and Sunday double-headers against Wayne State and Augustana.