MANKATO, Minn.--- Minnesota State (25-14, 21-8 NSIC) will travel to Concordia University, St. Paul (20-15, 13-12 NSIC) for a Wednesday doubleheader starting at 1:30 p.m. The Mavericks will then host No. 17 Augustana (21-12, 15-8 NSIC) for a three-game series beginning Saturday at 1:30 p.m.  

Last Time on the Diamond
MSU failed to find series wins against USF and UMC going 2-3 on the week. Minnesota State struggled scoring with runners on base leaving 36 runners stranded this past week.

Seniors Ryan Wickman, Ryan Friedges, and sophomore Louis Magers pioneered the MSU offense last week combining for 17 of the Mavericks 41 hits. As a result, the trio have also accounted for 37 of MSU's 73 total bases (50.7%) this last week.     

Sophomore Matthew Fleischhacker and Magers continue leading the NSIC in walks as the pair combines for 73 of MSU's 217 walks on the season. Fleischhacker is now only one free pass way from overtaking Rich Austin's (2000) single-season walk record (41).  

Wickman continued wreaking havoc on the base path collecting two steals this week bringing his season total to 19 stolen bases. With just 37 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 CSP
The Golden Bears are coming into the weekday doubleheader ninth in the NSIC Standings with a 13-17 conference record and a 21-18 overall record. 

Offensively, CSP is led by seniors Nick Thimsen, Jaden Werner,  Mason Nadolney, and junior Noah Juliar who have all reached the 40 RBI plateau while each holds an OPS of .850 or better. Thimsen leads the pack in season production ranking fifth in the NSIC in batting average (.424) and second in the conference in RBI (48).

As a staff, the Golden Bears rank ninth best in the NSIC in ERA (7.15) while ranking tenth in batting average against (.313) and 12th in strikeouts (234).

Taking on AU
No. 17 Augustana leads the NSIC with a conference record of 24-4 and an overall record of 33-6. The Vikings lead the NSIC in runs

Offensively, the Vikings lead the NSIC in team batting average (.323), runs scored (378), home runs (68), RBI (332), total bases (725), slugging percentage (.572), and on-base percentage (.434). The captain of the Augustana offense is senior Jack Hines who leads the NSIC is most offensive categories. With 66 RBI on the season, Hines is tied for fifth in  Division II Baseball and is the only player in the NSIC to reach the 60 RBI plateau this season.

As a staff, the Vikings rank best in the NSIC in ERA (3.59) while ranking first in batting average against (.216) and in strikeouts (416).