MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State Mavericks (4-0, 4-0 NSIC) will travel to Elkhorn, Nebraska, this weekend for a four-game series against the University of Mary Marauders (4-5, 4-5 NSIC). The series includes one game on Friday, a doubleheader on Saturday, and the finale on Sunday.

Last Time on the Diamond:
The Mavericks enter the series riding high after sweeping Northern State in a four-game set earlier this week.

On Monday, Minnesota State opened the series with a 6-1 victory. Zach Stroh scored in the first inning, and Jake Berkland's fifth-inning double drove in two key runs. Pitcher Nathan Culley (1-0) dominated on the mound, striking out 11 batters while allowing just one walk over 5.0 innings. Ike Mezzenga and Berkland each recorded two RBIs.

In the second game on Monday, the Mavericks' offense exploded in a high-scoring 14-7 win. Minnesota State sent ten batters to the plate in the second inning, scoring five runs. Northern State briefly tied the game in the fifth, but a two-run homer by Berkland put MSU back in control. The Mavericks sealed the win with a five-run eighth inning. Mitch Gutknecht (1-0) earned the win, pitching 4.0 innings of relief and striking out five.

On Tuesday, Mezzenga powered the Mavericks with two home runs, including a three-run shot in the first inning. MSU built a 6-0 lead before Northern State mounted a comeback in the seventh, cutting the deficit to 6-5. However, Mezzenga's second homer and an RBI triple from Berkland secured the 8-5 victory. Spencer Wright closed the game with two strikeouts for the save.

On Wednesday, Minnesota State completed the sweep with a dominant 15-3 win in seven innings. Ben Palmer hit a three-run homer in the second inning, followed by solo shots from Berkland and Brandon Vlcko. The Mavericks tallied eight runs in the frame and never looked back. Pitchers Mack Crowley and Ben Llewellyn kept the Wolves in check, while Coach Magers praised the team's depth, saying, "For us to be successful throughout the year, it's going to take everyone."

Scouting the University of Mary:
The Marauders come into the series following a wild 26-22 victory over Missouri Western State on Wednesday.

Kieran Gaffney leads the Marauders with a .419 batting average, three home runs, and nine RBIs this season.

 Aiden Johnson has been the team's top pitcher, holding a 3.60 ERA.