MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team, currently ranked #20 in the NFCA Coaches Poll, will return to action this week with a weekday doubleheader against the #13 Winona State Warriors before a pair of doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday against Wayne State and #2 Augustana. 

Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State (13-4, 2-2 NSIC) went 2-2 last weekend as it opened conference play with splits against Minot State and the University of Mary. Friday afternoon the Mavericks defeated Minot State in game one 7-1 before falling to the Beavers 8-6 in the second game. Saturday, Minnesota State defeated U-Mary 6-0 in game one prior to dropping game two against the Marauders 5-4 in eight innings.

Impact Mavericks: Thus far during the 2021 season, junior Torey Richards is leading the Maverick offense batting .446 with 25 hits including four doubles and a triple to with six RBI. Senior Carly Esselman is the second leading hitter for Minnesota State batting .421 with 24 hits, six doubles and nine RBI. Senior Hannah McCarville is leading the team in RBI with 19 while batting .367 along with three homeruns.

In the circle Mackenzie Ward is 8-2 with a 1.02 ERA with 111 strikeouts while McKayla Armbruster is 5-1 with a 1.67 ERA and 31 strikeouts. Ward was named NSIC Pitcher of the week for the second time this season after last weekend's performance.

Scouting Winona State: Winona State is located in Winona, Minn., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Warriors are 16-3 (5-1 NSIC), currently ranked 13th in the NFCA Coaches Poll and are led by 20th year head coach Greg Jones.

Tuesday's games will be the 101st and 102nd all-time meetings between the two programs with the most recent meeting being a 4-0 victory for Winona State in the 2019 season.

The Warriors are led on offense by Katie Kolb who is hitting .434 with 14 RBI and four doubles. 

In the circle, Jordyn Kleman leads Winona State with a 10-1 record posting a 1.66 ERA and striking out 75 batters.

Scouting the Wayne State: Wayne State is located in Wayne, Neb., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Wildcats are currently 3-15 (0-6 NSIC) on the season and are led by seventh year coach Shelli Manson.

Saturday's games will be the 44th and 45th between these two programs, the most recent of which was a 6-1 win for the Mavericks in 2019.

Kim Vidlak leads Wayne State on offense batting .356 with 21 hits, 12 runs scored and five RBI.

In the circle, Hadley Chvatal paces the Wildcats with a 3-4 record, a 4.82 ERA and 23 strikeouts.

Scouting Augustana: Augustana is located in Sioux Falls, S.D., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Vikings are 17-3 (5-1 NSIC), currently ranked #2 in the NFCA Coaches Poll and are led by 15th year head coach Gretta Melsted.

Sunday's games will be the 127th and 128th all-time meetings between the two programs with the most recent meeting being a 3-2 victory for the Vikings.

Augustana is led on offense by Kendall Cornick who is hitting .500 with 21 RBI, seven doubles and four homers. 

In the circle Augustana features a pair of pitchers, Amber Elliott (9-1, 2.55 ERA) and Ashley Mickschi (8-2, 2.89 ERA).

Looking Ahead: After this week's slate of games, the Mavericks will host St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth Saturday and Sunday, April 17th and 18th for a pair of doubleheaders.