MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State softball opens Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play this weekend with two home doubleheaders at the Maverick All-Sports Dome. The Mavericks host Jamestown on Friday (March 20), with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. On Saturday (March 21), MSU welcomes Northern State for games at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
About the Mavericks
Head Coach Kristle Wolcott and the Mavericks put together a strong showing at The Space Coast Spring Games, posting a 9-1 record over the extended weekend to improve to 13-11 overall on the season. Minnesota State recorded four run-rule victories, defeating Felician, Mercy, Ohio Dominican, and Saint Michael's in dominant fashion. The Mavericks' lone loss came in an 8-2 final against Lewis on the last day in Florida.
Offensively, Minnesota State is batting .312 as a team, totaling 113 RBIs on the season. The Mavericks hold a .496 slugging percentage and rank seventh in the NSIC in overall offensive production. In the circle, the pitching staff has compiled a 5.27 ERA with two shutouts and 118 strikeouts this season.
Gianna Lara has been one of the top hitters in the nation this season, ranking 19th nationally with a .500 batting average. Through 20 games, Lara has totaled six home runs, five of which came during the Florida swing. She recorded four RBIs in two separate contests, going 2-for-2 against Mercy and 4-for-5 against Saint Michael's. Defensively, Lara has been nearly flawless, registering 38 putouts with just one error on the season. Her four-hit performance against Saint Michael's matched a career high.
Sophomore Hannah Tong ranks fourth in the nation in RBIs per game, averaging 1.65. She delivered a strong performance against Felician, driving in four runs, highlighted by a key double. Tong followed that up with a five-RBI outing against Saint Anselm, going 3-for-5 at the plate with two home runs in the contest.
In the circle, Maddie Oetzmann has been a key contributor, posting a 4.32 ERA while earning seven wins this season. She appeared in four of the Mavericks' 10 games in Florida, throwing complete games in each outing and leading the team to victories every time. Oetzmann turned in a dominant performance against Saint Anselm, striking out 11 batters while allowing just five hits over seven innings. She currently ranks eighth in the NSIC with 64 strikeouts.
Providing depth to the pitching staff, freshman Jorey Fry has made an early impact with a 4.55 ERA to start the season. During the Florida trip, she pitched 19.2 innings and recorded 19 strikeouts. Fry matched her career high with eight strikeouts in a strong outing against Saint Michael's.
At the plate, Carly Kimmes added to the Mavericks' offensive production with a key performance against Thomas More, driving in two runs on a double.
About the Jimmies
Jamestown enters its first season in the NSIC with a 19-4 overall record under head coach Kevin Gall. The Jimmies are currently riding an eight-game winning streak after posting a 9-1 mark at The Space Coast Spring Games. Their lone loss came in a 7-2 decision against Walsh University (Ohio), but they responded with a 4-3 victory over Walsh in their final game of the tournament.
Offensively, Jamestown has been one of the top-performing teams in the conference, batting .366 through 23 games with 228 hits and 137 RBIs. The Jimmies also lead NSIC teams with a .490 slugging percentage. In the circle, the pitching staff has recorded a 2.78 ERA with one shutout on the season.
Trinity Gregg leads the NSIC with a .493 batting average and has totaled 16 RBIs this season. The senior outfielder delivered a standout performance against Ursuline at the Space Coast Spring Games, going 4-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs in a 7-3 win.
Ace pitcher Aubrey Quern anchors the Jimmies' staff with a 1.28 ERA and six wins on the season. She leads the team with 43.2 innings pitched and has recorded 58 strikeouts, ranking second in the NSIC in ERA.
This matchup marks the fifth all-time meeting between the two programs and the first as conference opponents. Minnesota State has won all four previous meetings, including a 3-2 victory in April 1994. The only prior meeting in Mankato dates back to 1983, when MSU secured a 2-1 win.
About the Wolves
Heading into conference play with an 8-8 overall record, Northern State is coming off a two-game losing streak at the Space Coast Spring Games, falling 6-5 to Saint Anselm before dropping a 13-3 contest to Lewis. Over their four-day stay in Melbourne, Fla., the Wolves posted a 2-6 record, with wins over Southern Connecticut State (2-1) and Post (9-1).
As a team, NSU is batting .291 through 16 games, totaling 118 hits with a .395 slugging percentage. The Wolves have hit just three home runs this season. In the circle, Northern State's pitching staff holds a 4.24 ERA with 69 strikeouts. Defensively, the team has posted a .964 fielding percentage.
Sophomore pitcher and utility player Aune Boben leads the Wolves offensively, batting .400 through 55 at-bats while recording 11 RBIs, the second-highest total on the team. The Hibbing, Minn. native has also made three appearances in the circle, pitching 4.2 innings with a 12.00 ERA. Among NSIC players, Boben ranks eighth in batting average.
Historically, Minnesota State holds a 27-8 advantage in the all-time series. When the two teams met last season in Aberdeen, S.D., Northern State took game one 6-4 before the Mavericks responded with a 15-4 win in game two. The last meeting in Mankato saw Minnesota State sweep the doubleheader, and the Mavericks have dropped just one home contest all-time against the Wolves.
