MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State opens its 2023 at home in the Maverick All-Sports Dome this weekend as it takes on Lewis, Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western.
Friday, Feb. 3rd Schedule
vs. Lewis, 2:00 p.m.
vs. Northwest Missouri State, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 4th Schedule
vs. Missouri Western, 6:30 p.m.
vs. Northwest Missouri State, 8:30 p.m.
Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State returns eight starters and 15 letterwinners from last season's squad. In 2022, the Mavericks finished their season with a 48-14 record, including a 26-4 NSIC record which ranked second in the conference standings.
The Mavericks also advanced to their 18th appearance in the NCAA Tournament where they advanced to the final day of the NCAA Sub Regional.
Some key returnees for the Mavericks include junior
Madi Newman, sophomore
Cheyenne Behrends, senior
Sydney Nielsen, junior
Ellie Tallman and junior
McKayla Armbruster.
Newman claimed All-NSIC First Team and NFCA and D2CCA All-Central Region Second Team honors last season as she led the Mavericks in runs scored (44), hits (68), doubles (16) home runs (8) and RBI (47). Behrends was named the NSIC Freshman of the Year after batting .327 with 56 hits and 39 runs batted in.
Both Nielsen and Tallman received All-NSIC Second Team honors for their efforts last season as well. Nielsen batted .348 with seven doubles and six home runs, while Tallman boasted a team-leading .380 batting average and 21 stolen bases.
In the circle, Armbruster finished the 2022 season with a 10-6 record and a 2.69 ERA. She struck out 95 batters and held opposing hitters to a .246 average.
Lori Meyer is in her 39th season as head coach at Minnesota State. She owns a 1,335-714-3 record.
Concerning the Flyers: The Lewis University Flyers finished their 2022 season with a 24-26 record, including a 10-18 record in GLVC action. The Flyers finished 12th in the Great Lakes Valley Conference standings.
Last season, Sara Serena batted .319 with a team-best 37 RBI and four home runs. Jaylin Powell drove in 26 runs last season also, while Delaney Garden boasted a team-best .351 batting average.
Garden also led the Flyers in the circle as she boasted an 11-10 record with a 2.76 ERA. Garden also struck out 109 batters. Payton Wuskie also returns for Lewis after putting together a 9-8 record last season.
This will be the seventh all-time meeting between the Mavericks and Flyers, with the Mavericks winning all six of their previous encounters.
Lewis is coached by Becky Pearl, who is in her fifth season as head coach of the Flyers and 19th season overall. She owns an overall career record of 430-437.
Concerning the Bearcats: Northwest Missouri State finished its 2022 season with a 15-36 record, including a 9-17 MIAA record. The Bearcats finished ninth in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association last season.
Abby Nolte led the Bearcats with 12 home runs and 31 RBI last season, while batting .317. Lauren Grey tallied nine home runs and 30 RBI also, while Madison Friest posted eight home runs and 22 RBI.
Breck Dickey led the Bearcats in the circle last season with a 9-12 record and a 5.90 ERA. Dickey also struck out 128 batters.
The Mavericks own a 24-7 all-time record against Northwest Missouri State. MSU went 2-1 against the Bearcats last season.
Naomi Tellez is in her second season as head coach at Northwest Missouri State. She owns a 15-36 record.
Concerning the Griffons: Missouri Western finished its 2022 season with a 30-22 record, including a 17-9 MIAA record. The Griffons finished fourth in the MIAA standings.
Kaylea Fessler led the Griffon offense last season as she tallied 10 home runs and 47 RBI, while batting .333. Sydni Hawkins scored a team-best 43 runs, while driving in 38. Chloe Armstrong notched eight home runs and 35 RBI as well.
Sydney Rader led the Griffons in the circle last season with an 18-9 record, to go along with a 2.51 ERA and 196 strikeouts. Natalie Kissinger posted a 12-11 record with a 2.71 ERA as well.
The Mavericks own an 18-14 all-time record against The Griffons. Missouri Western won their only meeting last season 8-5.
Joe Yegge is in his second season as head coach at Missouri Western. He owns a 30-22 record with the Griffons.
