MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State softball team returns to the Maverick All-Sport Dome on Friday, Feb. 13, hosting Southwest Minnesota State for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m., with game two scheduled to follow at 7:00 p.m. Friday's matchup marks MSU's final home appearance until the end of March.
About the Mavericks
The Mavericks opened the season last weekend with a doubleheader sweep over Minnesota Duluth, improving to 2-0 on the year. MSU earned a 6-4 win in the opener before securing a 4-1 victory in game two to complete the sweep.
The pair of wins marked the first for Kristle Wolcott as Head Coach of the Mavericks, beginning her tenure with a strong start to the 2026 campaign.
Last weekend, the MSU offense posted a .314 team batting average, scoring 10 runs on 16 hits across the two-game series against the Bulldogs. In the circle, the Mavericks combined for a 2.50 ERA, surrendering just nine hits over 14 innings of work. Defensively, MSU was equally sharp, recording a .968 fielding percentage in the doubleheader.
Freshman Jorey Fry impressed in her collegiate debut, tossing a complete game against UMD in the second contest. Fry went seven innings, allowing only two hits and one earned run while striking out eight. She faced 29 batters and threw 134 pitches en route to a 1.00 ERA. In addition to her work in the circle, she added two defensive assists in the field.
Junior Maddie Oetzmann also delivered a strong season debut both in the circle and at the plate. Oetzmann pitched seven innings, allowing seven hits while facing 29 batters, and finished with a 4.00 ERA. Offensively, she collected a hit and drove in a run during the doubleheader.
A steady presence in the outfield, Maddie Helin turned in a strong performance at the plate for the Minnesota State. The Harris, Minn., native went 3-for-7 over the weekend, including a triple, finishing with a .429 batting average. She drove in three runs, scored once, and recorded at least one hit in each game, highlighted by her extra-base effort. Defensively, Helin was just as reliable, cleanly handling all three of her opportunities in the field.
About the Mustangs
Southwest Minnesota State softball enters its matchup against the Mavericks with a 2-2 overall record to open the season.
The Mustangs began their year at the St. Cloud Dome Games, defeating Concordia- St. Paul 10-4 on day one before falling to St. Cloud State 3-2 in eight innings. On day two, SMSU secured a 7-1 victory over Bemidji State but closed the weekend with an 11-3 loss to CSP.
Head coach Bailey Bouman is in her eighth season leading the Mustang program.
Through four games, SMSU is batting .319 as a team, collecting 36 hits in 113 at-bats while driving in 22 runs. In the circle, the Mustangs' pitching staff holds a combined 3.84 ERA. The trio of pitchers has faced 114 batters, allowing 34 hits and 19 runs.
Sophomore Jordyn Marsh picked up two wins during the opening weekend, tossing 14 innings and facing 55 batters. She owns a 2.00 ERA after surrendering just 13 hits. Marsh also contributed offensively with two hits and two RBIs in six at-bats.
Freshman Aliza Acker has started all four games and is hitting .385 through 13 at-bats.
Historically, Minnesota State has controlled the series, holding an 80-25 overall record against the Mustangs. The Mavericks enter the contest riding a 16-game winning streak in the matchup, including a 3-1 victory in the most recent meeting on April 27, 2025.
