TAHLEQUAH, Okla. --- Minnesota State junior pitcher Mackenzie Ward has been named to the D2CCA All-Central Region First Team for her efforts inc the circle this season.

A pitcher from Clive, Iowa, junior Mackenzie Ward owns a 22-4 record this season, to go along with a 0.95 ERA and 278 strikeouts, which both lead the NSIC. She has held opposing batters to a .158 batting average and has recorded nine shutouts. Ward also put together a 56.1 scoreless inning streak this season and earned the win in 11 of her final 12 appearances of the regular season.

Ward, who recently became the second Maverick in program history to be named NSIC Pitcher of the Year,  has also struck out at least 10 batters in 16 games this season, including a career-high 19 batters against Bemidji State. Ward, who was named to the NFCA All-Central Region First Team earlier this season, is the first Maverick to claim D2CCA All-Central Region First Team honors since senior Carly Esselman did so back in 2018.

Minnesota State will open competition in the NCAA Central Region Tournament on Thursday as it takes on the winner of the game between #14 Central Oklahoma and Arkansas Tech in Edmond, Okla., at 2:30 p.m.

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