MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State opens its 2026 season with four games at the MSSU Lion Classic Invite in Joplin, Mo. The Mavericks will begin tournament play Friday against Indianapolis at 3 p.m. They return to action Saturday against McKendree at 3 p.m., before facing Indianapolis again Sunday at noon. MSU will close out the weekend Monday against host Missouri Southern at noon. All games will be played at Warren Turner Field.

Last Time on the Diamond

Minnesota State's 2025 season came to a close in the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament on May 18, as the Mavericks fell to Pittsburg State. MSU finished the year with a 51-8 overall record, tying a program record for wins in a single season. The Mavericks also claimed both the NSIC Regular Season and Tournament Championships.

Returning Firepower:

A 2025 NCBWA All-America Third Team and D2CCA All-America First Team selection, Louis Magers put together a historic season at the plate. He hit .319 with 68 hits, 14 doubles and a program single-season record 20 home runs. He drove in 82 runs and posted a .657 slugging percentage.

Magers was just as effective on the mound, finishing with a 6-0 record and a 2.72 ERA in 43.0 innings pitched while holding opponents to a .187 batting average. He earned NSIC Tournament MVP honors and helped lead the Mavericks to conference titles.

Jake Berkland also returns after a strong redshirt freshman campaign. Berkland started all 59 games in left field and hit .316 with 11 doubles, three triples and three home runs. He added 38 RBI and stole 12 bases. Berkland elevated his play in the postseason, tallying 11 hits in the NSIC Tournament and earning All-Tournament Team honors.

On the mound, Sam George anchors the pitching staff after earning All-NSIC First Team honors in 2025. George went 8-0 with a 2.97 ERA across 60.2 innings, striking out 60 batters. He delivered several key postseason performances, including 7.0 shutout innings in the NCAA Central Region Tournament. George also earned NSIC Pitcher of the Week recognition during the season.

Taking on the Field

Indianapolis finished the 2025 season with a 34-24 overall record and advanced to the NCAA Division II Midwest Super Regional. The Greyhounds are currently 1-3 to begin the 2026 season. This weekend will mark the first-ever meeting between Minnesota State and Indianapolis.

Carter Tomas leads the Greyhounds offensively with a .417 batting average and a .834 OPS. On the mound, Gavin has posted a 1-0 record with a 0.00 ERA through 7.0 innings pitched.

McKendree concluded the 2025 season with a 17-31 overall record and enters the weekend at 1-2 this year. The Mavericks are 2-0 all-time against the Bearcats, with the last meeting coming in 1996 when MSU earned 21-1 and 7-1 victories.

Hunter Sherman leads McKendree at the plate with a .500 batting average through three games, adding five RBI and one home run. Calan Kujawa has led the Bearcats on the mound with a 1-0 record and a 0.00 ERA in 4.1 innings, striking out four batters.

Missouri Southern finished the 2025 campaign with a 28-25 overall record and is currently 2-3 this season. The Mavericks hold a 6-2 all-time record against the Lions. The last time the two teams met was in 2024, when Missouri Southern edged Minnesota State 2-1.

Ethan Clark leads the Lions offensively with a .400 batting average, totaling eight hits, seven runs scored and three RBI.

On the mound, Owen Schneider has started 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, allowing six hits across 10.0 innings pitched.