MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State softball team (4-10) travels to the Sunshine State this week for a 10-game slate at The Space Coast Spring Games in Melbourne, Fla.

About the Mavericks
Head coach Kristle Wolcott, in her first season leading the Mavericks, holds a 4-10 overall record. At the Top Gun Midwest College Classic, Minnesota State went 1-4 on the weekend, earning its fourth win of the season with a 6-5 extra-inning victory over Nebraska-Kearney. After eight innings of play, the Mavericks secured the narrow win.

As a team, Minnesota State is batting .259 through 14 games while posting a .390 slugging percentage. In the circle, Maverick pitchers have combined for a 6.87 ERA and have recorded 59 strikeouts this season. Defensively, Minnesota State holds a .939 fielding percentage.

Phoenix, Ariz., native Izzy Hycnar provided a spark for the Maverick offense during the Top Gun Midwest College Classic with several strong performances at the plate. Against Nebraska-Kearney, Hycnar collected three hits, including a home run and a double, while driving in two runs. Her solo home run helped the Mavericks even the score, and she also showcased her speed earlier in the weekend by swiping home on a wild pitch. Hycnar continued to produce in the second game of the day against Washburn, adding two RBIs to help keep Minnesota State within striking distance. Through eight games this season, Hycnar is batting .393.

Hannah Tong delivered one of the most clutch performances of the weekend for the Mavericks. In the extra-inning victory over Nebraska-Kearney, Tong recorded three hits and two RBIs, including the walk off RBI single in the eighth inning that secured the 6-5 win for Minnesota State. The sophomore followed that effort with another strong showing against Washburn, tallying three hits including a double and scoring twice. 

In the circle, Maddie Oetzmann turned in one of the Mavericks' most impressive pitching performances of the weekend. Entering in relief against Nebraska-Kearney, Oetzmann tossed 4 2/3 hitless innings while striking out five and allowing just one walk. Her dominant outing kept the Mavericks within reach and set the stage for Minnesota State's late comeback victory. 

Finley Anderson also made key contributions for MSU throughout the weekend. Anderson provided power at the plate with a solo home run against Rockhurst, marking her second home run of the season. 

Thursday, March 12
Game 1 vs. Thomas More at 4:45 p.m. (CST)
The Saints enter the weekend with a 4-6 record after most recently competing in the Lincoln Memorial Tournament. Led by head coach Lindsay Eagan, the Saints split a pair of games against Bloomsburg University, falling 8-0 in the opener before rebounding with a 4-2 victory in game two. They also split their contests against Lincoln Memorial University, claiming an 8-5 win in the first game before dropping the second matchup 13-7. This matchup will mark the first meeting in program history between Thomas More and Minnesota State softball.

Game 2 vs. Felician at 7 p.m. (CST)
Posting a 4–4 overall record to begin the season, the team has won three of its last four games under the direction of head coach Phil Delgado. The upcoming matchup will mark just the second all-time meeting between the two programs. In their first meeting in 2019, Minnesota State earned a dominant 10–0 victory.


Friday, March 13
Game 1 vs. Mercy at 10 a.m. (CST)
After having its first four games postponed, Mercy will open its season against Minnesota State. The team is led by head coach Jamie Lorenzo, who is in her fifth season at the helm. The matchup will mark the first ever meeting between the two programs.

Game 2 vs. Southern Connecticut State at 12:15 p.m. (CST)
Minnesota State and Southern Connecticut State meet for the fourth time in program history, with the Mavericks winning each of the previous three matchups. The most recent meeting came on March 24, 1998, when MSU secured a 3–0 victory. For SCSU, the contest marks their third game of the season after opening their schedule on Monday, March 9 against Post University. The Owls are led by Head Coach Kate Bowen, who is in her first full season at the helm after serving as the interim head coach during the 2025 season.


Saturday, March 14
Game 1 vs. Saint Anselm at 4:45 p.m. (CST)
In her first season as head coach, Alyssa Williamson has guided the Hawks to a 4-2 start to the season. Saint Anselm opened the year with wins over Slippery Rock and Dominican (N.Y.) before falling to NSIC opponent Sioux Falls, 5-0. The Hawks bounced back with a 2-1 victory over Southwest Minnesota State on March 2. Minnesota State and Saint Anselm last met on March 2, 2019, when the Mavericks secured a 7-2 win. The upcoming matchup will mark the third meeting between the two programs.

Game 2 vs. Ohio Dominican at 7 p.m. (CST)
Ohio Dominican enters with a 6-6 record and is currently riding a three game winning streak. The Panthers are scheduled to play two additional contests featuring Illinois-Springfield before their meeting with Minnesota State. Historically, the Mavericks hold a 4-0 advantage in the series, most recently defeating Ohio Dominican 7-1 on March 10, 2025.


Monday, March 16
Game 1 vs. Wayne Stata (Mich.) at 10 a.m. (CST)
Wayne State enters the matchup with a 4–3 record this season and will face Minnesota State for the 11th time in program history. In their most recent meeting in March 2020, the Mavericks came away with a 3–1 victory. Prior to traveling to Florida, the Warriors are scheduled to take on Oakland University in a doubleheader on Monday, March 9. Wayne State is led by head coach Nicole Tines.

Game 2 vs. Saint Michael's College at 2:30 p.m. (CST)
Head coach Nick Goodreau and the Purple Knights will open their season at the Space Coast Spring Games beginning Friday, March 13. Saint Michael's College enters the event after finishing the 2025 season with an 18-19-1 record. The matchup with Minnesota State will mark the first meeting between the two programs.


Tuesday, March 17
Game 1 vs. Lewis at 12:15 p.m. (CST)
Lewis enters with a 3-7 record to begin the season and most recently fell to Roosevelt University by a 14-5 final. The Flyers have also faced two NSIC opponents this year, dropping games to Minnesota Duluth (10-2) and Bemidji State (7-2). Minnesota State and Lewis have an established history, as the upcoming contest will mark the tenth meeting between the two programs. The Mavericks hold a 7-2 advantage in the all-time series, though the Flyers claimed the most recent matchup with a 6-2 win on Feb. 3, 2024.

Game 2 vs. Purdue Northwest at 2:30 p.m. (CST)
Last weekend, Purdue Northwest competed in the Maryville Invitational, where it fell to Hillsdale College 7–6 before bouncing back with an 8–7 win over Maryville University. Entering the matchup with a 7–5 overall record, Head Coach Claire Schapker and her squad will face the Mavericks for just the second time in program history.