MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State softball team finishes its regular season schedule at home this weekend as it takes on Minot State on Saturday at 11:00 a.m., and the University of Mary on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Both doubleheaders will take place in the Maverick All-Sports Dome.

Saturday, April 29th Schedule
vs. Minot State, 11:00 a.m.
vs. Minot State, 1:00 p.m.
            
Sunday, April 30th Schedule
vs. University of Mary, 11:00 a.m.
vs. University of Mary, 1:00 p.m.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weeked the owner of a 28-16 record, including a 17-9 NSIC record. The Mavericks have won of their last eight games including sweeps of Sioux Falls (4-1 & 4-3) and Winona State (6-5 & 4-2) and series splits with MSU Moorhead (W, 7-1 & L, 13-3) and Northern State (W, 4-1 & L, 4-2).

Junior Ellie Tallman leads the Maverick hitters with a .383 batting average as she has tallied 51 hits and 23 RBI. Junior Kylie Sullivan is batting .362 with seven home runs and 19 RBI also, while freshman Ava Smithson has tallied a team-leading 12 home runs and 31 RBI.

Junior McKayla Armbruster leads the Mavericks in the circle this season with an 18-8 record and a 1.79 ERA. Armbruster has struck out 169 batters and has held opposing hitters to a .220 batting average. Sophomore Sophia Del Vecchio has put together a 4-3 record, to go along with a 3.55 ERA also. Junior Kacy Nickerson owns a 5-4 record to go with a 3.95 ERA as well.

Lori Meyer is in her 39th season as head coach at Minnesota State. She owns a 1,363-730-3 record. 

Concerning the Beavers: Minot State enters the weekend the owner of a 27-19 record, including a 14-10 NSIC record. Recently, the Beavers split their series against MSU Moorhead (W, 3-2 & L, 5-1).

Paige Kellogg is batting .341 with five doubles and 21 RBI. Leo Watson is batting .311 with 29 runs scored and 20 RBI. Brooklyn Morrison is leading the team in runs batted in with 33.

Calley Olson owns an 11-2 record, to go with a 3.81 ERA and 53 strikeouts. Reegan Floyd owns a 9-10 record, along with a 3.82 ERA and 87 strikeouts.

Bailey Gaspar is in her first season as head coach of the Beavers. She owns a 27-19 record.

Concerning the Marauders: UMary enters the weekend the owner of a 7-36 record, including a 2-22 NSIC record. The Marauders split their series against Northern State (L, 2-1 & W, 4-2) in their most recent outings.

Francesca Villaneda is batting .316 with 30 hits and 15 RBI. Madison Wszolek is batting .295 and has scored a team-leading 23 runs. Sariah Perez has driven in 21 runs. 

Nicole Eckhardt owns a 4-11 record, to go along with a 5.52 ERA. Emari Evans is 2-12 on the season with a 7.55 ERA as well.

Dre Frantz is in her second season as head coach at UMary. She owns a 14-73 record.

The Long Ball: Freshman Ava Smithson has recorded 12 home runs this season. In doing so, she is one of five Mavericks in program history to record at least 12 home runs in a season.

1. Amber Kral, 14 (2017)
2. Abby Wagner, 13 (2006)
3. Kelsey Thompson, 13 (2009)
4. Ashley Jay, 12 (2006)
5. Ava Smithson, 12 (2023)

Put it on the Board: Senior Sydney Nielsen has recorded 24 home runs during her career with the Mavericks. She is tied with Kelsey Thompson for the eight-most career home runs in team history.

Junior Madi Newman ranks 11th all-time in home runs at Minnesota State with 21 as well.