MANKATO, Minn.--- Minnesota State (23-11, 19-5 NSIC) will travel to the University of Sioux Falls (20-15, 13-12 NSIC) for a Wednesday doubleheader starting at 1:30 p.m. The Mavericks will then host University of Minnesota Crookston (21-12, 15-8 NSIC) for a three-game series beginning Saturday at 1:30 p.m.  

Last Time on the Diamond
MSU completed sweeps against Winona State and Bemidji State over a five-game period to extend its winning streak to eight games. Minnesota State began the week with its doubleheader sweep against the Warriors winning by finals of 6-3 and 11-1 at Bowyer Field. The Mavericks then traveled north to Bemidji, Minnesota claiming a three-game sweep against the Beavers.

Over the last eight games, Minnesota State has outscored opponents 110-31. Of the Mavericks' 110 runs scored, only 16 runs were produced by home runs. Minnesota State bats are scorching hot owning a .429 batting average, 112 hits, and a .532 on-base percentage.    

As a result, MSU leads the NSIC in most small-ball categories including runs (319), walks (197), hit by pitches (72), sacrifice flies (22), and on-base percentage (.443).  Nationally speaking, the Mavericks are ranked 12th in on-base percentage, 26th in hit-by pitches, 38th in sacrifice flies, 40th in runs scored, and 42nd in walks.  

Juniors Zach Stroh and Aidan Byrne, along with sophomore Louis Magers have led the Mavericks' offensive push combining for 43 of the MSU's 112 hits over the last eight games. Byrne leads the trio with a .636 batting average during the Mavericks winning streak raising his season average to .424 which is sixth best in the NSIC.  

Sophomore Matthew Fleischhacker and Magers continue leading the NSIC in walks as the pair combines for 70 of MSU's 97 walks on the season. Fleischhacker is now only two free passes away from tying his 2023 season total (39) and four away from overtaking Rich Austin's (2000) single-season walk record (41).  

Senior Ryan Wickman continued wreaking havoc on the base path collecting two steals this week bringing his season total to 19 stolen bases. With just 32 games played this season, the Maverick speedster has overtaken his 2023 season total (57 games played). He has jumped Zach Danelson (2007-08) for fifth in MSU all-time steals with 50 career bags.

Taking on USF
The Cougars are coming into the weekday doubleheader seventh in NSIC standings with a 13-12 conference record and a 20-15 overall record.

Offensively, USF is led by senior Brady Klehr, junior Ben Serie, and sophomore David Swanson who have all cleared the 25 RBI plateau this season. Klehr and Serie are tied for the team lead in RBI (33) while Swanson leads the team in hits with 43.

As a staff, the Warriors rank sixth best in the NSIC in ERA (5.84) while ranking second in batting average against (.263) and fifth in strikeouts (258)

Taking on UMC
The Golden Eagles are fifth in the NSIC standings with a 15-8 conference record and a 21-12 overall record.

Offensively, UMC is led by senior Teddy Giefer who leads the team in batting average (.382), RBI (40), slugging percentage (.618), and on-base percentage (.466).

As a staff, the Golden Eagles rank eighth best in the NSIC in ERA (6.04) and batting average against (.292) while ranking fourth in strikeouts (261).

The Maverick Staff
The Maverick staff went 5-0 with a 2.19 ERA against Winona State and Bemidji State averaging a .203 batting average against. Sophomore Louis Magers and freshman Sam George led the Mavericks on the mound combining for nine innings giving up one run on six hits. The pair collected 15 strikeouts in their outings this week.

George threw MSU's first immaculate inning of the season in the bottom second of Sunday's game against the Beavers while recording six straight strikeouts to open the game. The Bettendorf, Iowa native peppered the strike zone recording 36 of 43 pitches for strikes.