BURNSVILLE, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team has been ranked second in the NSIC Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll.

MSU received three first-place votes and 208 points to claim the second spot. Augustana topped the rankings with 217 points and 10 first-place votes. St. Cloud State and Winona State were both ranked third with 187 points, with SCSU also receiving three first-place votes.

Senior Syndey Nielsen was named MSU's Player to Watch for the upcoming season. A catcher from Marion, Iowa, Nielsen batted .356 with six home runs and 26 RBI last season. She also scored 34 runs and stole 14 bases.

Junior McKayla Armbruster was named MSU's Pitcher to Watch. A native of Faribault, Minn., Armbruster boasted a 10-6 record last season, to go along with a 2.69 ERA. In 101.2 innings, she struck out 95 batters and held opposing hitters to a .246 batting average.

Minnesota State opens its season at home in the Maverick All-Sports Dome on the weekend of Feb. 3-4. The Mavericks will compete in a total of four games against Lewis, Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western.