MANKATO, Minn.--- Minnesota State will travel to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to take on the Northern State Wolves for its second conference series of the season. The Mavericks will play on Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Sioux Falls Stadium.

Last Time on the Diamond
MSU traveled to Davenport, Fla. to compete in the 2024 RussMatt Central Florida Invitational going 3-4 in seven games despite outscoring opponents 53-52.

The Mavericks offenses managed at least six runs per game and averaged 7.6 runs per game at the invitational. The Maverick offense had players deliver quality performances throughout the tournament.

Junior Aidan Byrne led the Mavericks at the plate and on the field starting all seven games at shortstop for the purple and gold. At the plate, Byrne helped himself to a .310 batting average in 29 plate appearances registering nine hits to go along with six runs and seven RBI. In the field, the Mavericks shortstop recorded no errors on 40 chances. Throughout the invitational, Byrne registered 22 putouts and 18 assists while completing a team-high five double plays.

Sophomore Louis Magers dominated at the plate registering a .278 batting average while scoring six runs on five hits. The Mavericks utility man collected a team-leading eight RBI throughout the invitations while launching three home runs. Magers registered team-highs in total bases (14) and slugging percentage (.778).

Behind the dish, junior catcher Nick Baker recorded productive outings offensively and defensively. The junior catcher registered a .304 batting average in six games played while scoring four runs and driving in six. Defensively, Baker was flawless recording 44 putouts and 2 assists on 46 chances. On the season, Baker has one error in 78 chances for a .987 fielding percentage.

In on the mound, juniors Sean Gamble and Derek Lilledahl led the Mavericks' pitching staff combining for 10.2 innings while allowing four earned runs and accumulating nine strikeouts.

Taking on NSU
Offensively, the Wolves are led by senior outfielder Karson Hesser who owns a team-leading .483 batting average while also leading NSU in RBI (10), total bases (19), and OPS (1.200).

NSU pitching staff is headlined by junior RHP Drew Burkholder who owns a 2-0 record and a microscopic ERA of 0.82 through 11 innings of work this season. The Wolves RHP owns a 1.45 WHIP while compiling five strikeouts.    

The Maverick Staff
The Maverick staff went 3-4 with a 7.67 ERA at the 2024 RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. Juniors Spencer Wright and Mitch Gutknecht lead MSU pitching in innings combining for 37.1 innings in nine appearances.