MANKATO, Minn. – The No. 7-ranked Minnesota State Mavericks are gearing up for an exciting NSIC matchup this weekend, traveling to Sioux Falls to take on Augustana Vikings at Ronken Field. The three-game series kicks off with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1:30 p.m., followed by a single-game finale on Sunday at noon. 

Last Time on the Diamond: 
Minnesota State (37-4, 29-3 NSIC) enters the weekend riding high after a dominant sweep of Concordia-St. Paul. 

In game one MSU won 10-0. The Mavericks jumped out early, plating five in the second inning behind a three-RBI double from Louis Magers. MSU added runs in the third, fourth, and sixth and the pitching staff held CSP to just two hits over seven-innings for a shutout. 

In game two MSU won 6-0, earning a shutout in their third straight game. Lincoln Berry launched a three-run homer in the first inning to give the Mavericks an early lead, and they never looked back. Berry finished the series 4-for-6 with four RBIs and four runs scored. Once again, the pitching was stellar, allowing just two hits in the second shutout of the day. 

Matthew Fleischhacker is on the brink of history, needing just one walk to break MSU's career record. Meanwhile, Ike Mezzenga is closing in on the program's single-season home run record, needing four more to tie. 

Scouting the Vikings: 
Augustana (30-12, 24-8 NSIC) sits just behind the Mavericks in the NSIC standings. The Vikings come into the weekend fresh off a sweep of Southwest Minnesota State, winning 8-3 and 6-3 on Wednesday. 

On the mound, Ashton Michek anchors the pitching staff with a 3.26 ERA and a 6-2 record. Offensively, Jack Hines leads the team (and the nation) in batting average with a .467 batting average. This season he has hit five home runs and has 46 RBI's.