MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State softball team wraps up its NSIC road schedule this weekend with trips to Minnesota Duluth and Bemidji State. The Mavericks begin the weekend on Saturday, April 25, taking on UMD at noon and 2 p.m. at Junction Ave Field. MSU then travels to Bemidji for a Sunday, April 26 doubleheader against Bemidji State, with first pitch set for noon and the second game to follow at 2 p.m. at the BSU Softball Field. Both contests can be streamed live on the NSIC Network page.
About the Mavericks
Last week in NSIC play, Minnesota State picked up one win in four games and pushed two contests into extra innings before coming up short. The Mavericks' lone victory came in game one against Concordia-St. Paul, where they earned a 4-2 win behind an eight-hit performance at the plate.
Head Coach Kristle Wolcott and the Mavericks now hold a 26-20 overall record, including a 13-9 mark in NSIC play, which places them sixth in the conference standings.
Offensively, the squad owns a .297 batting average with a .456 slugging percentage, ranking seventh in the NSIC in hitting this season. In the circle, Minnesota State has posted a 3.92 ERA across 46 games and recorded 215 strikeouts on the year.
Senior first baseman Gianna Lara, the lone senior on Minnesota State's roster, turned in a strong four-game stretch at the plate. Lara batted .385 after going 5-for-13, while scoring one run and driving in a team-high six RBI. She recorded two doubles and seven total bases on the week, good for a .538 slugging percentage, while also posting a .467 on-base percentage with two walks. Defensively, Lara was perfect in the field, finishing with a 1.000 fielding percentage on 26 chances. On the season, she ranks 10th in the NSIC in slugging percentage and fifth in the conference in RBI with 38.
Junior pitcher Maddie Oetzmann led the Mavericks in the circle across three appearances and two starts last week. She went 1-0 with a 2.74 ERA over 15.1 innings pitched, allowing just seven hits and holding opponents to a .125 batting average. Oetzmann also struck out 14 batters and tossed one complete game during the four-game stretch, while leading Minnesota State in wins, innings pitched, ERA, strikeouts, and opponent batting average. On the season, she ranks sixth in the NSIC in strikeouts with 118.
Second baseman Carly Kimmes has continued to be a defensive anchor for the Mavericks, coming up with diving stops each weekend. Her highlight-reel play against Concordia-St. Paul prevented the go-ahead run from advancing and ended the inning.
About the Bulldogs
Heading into this week's competition, Minnesota Duluth holds a 25-18 overall record and a 10-10 mark in NSIC play. The Bulldogs have been especially strong at home this season, posting a 5-1 record on their home field. Under Head Coach Nat Wagner, UMD sits ninth in the NSIC standings with an even .500 conference record.
Last weekend, the Bulldogs picked up three wins in four games. UMD opened the weekend with doubleheader victories over Minnesota Crookston by scores of 13-0 and 9-1, with both games ending after five innings. The Bulldogs then defeated MSU Moorhead 15-1 in six innings on Sunday before dropping game two of the series by a 4-2 margin.
Offensively, Minnesota Duluth is batting .302 as a team with a .477 slugging percentage. The Bulldogs have hit 40 home runs this season, the second-most in the NSIC. In the circle, UMD owns a 3.72 ERA with four shutouts and has held opponents to a .265 batting average.
Senior infielder Ava Johnson has been a key contributor for the Bulldogs this season, leading the team with a .390 batting average and a .700 slugging percentage. Her offensive production ranks among the best in the NSIC, as she has totaled seven home runs and 29 RBI on the year. Last weekend, Johnson went 2-for-7 at the plate, while driving in five runs and scoring four times across four games.
This weekend's matchup marks the second meeting of the season between Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth. The two teams previously met on February 7 at the MSU All-Sports Dome, where the Mavericks earned 4-1 and 6-4 victories. The last time the teams met in Duluth, the Bulldogs won game one 6-2, while Minnesota State claimed game two 5-0. Overall, the Mavericks hold a 60-46 advantage in the all-time series and have averaged 3.82 runs per game against UMD.
About the Beavers
Bemidji State enters this week with a busy stretch before facing Minnesota State, as the Beavers are scheduled to play six games prior to their weekend series with the Mavericks. BSU will travel to Minnesota Crookston on Monday and Minnesota Duluth on Wednesday before returning home to host Winona State on Saturday.
Head Coach Jordan Petersen and the Beavers currently sit 15th in the NSIC standings with a 10-31 overall record and a 4-14 mark in conference play.
Through 41 games this season, Bemidji State is batting .267 as a team with a .331 slugging percentage. In the circle, the Beavers own a 5.38 ERA while allowing opponents to hit .343 against them.
Sophomore Alayna DeGraef has started all 41 games for BSU this season and leads the team with a .374 batting average and a .466 slugging percentage. In last weekend's doubleheader, DeGraef went 2-for-6 at the plate with a double and one RBI.
Dating back to the first meeting between the two programs in May 1980, Minnesota State holds a 41-2 advantage in the all-time series against the Beavers. The Mavericks have won four of the last five meetings and have averaged 7.51 runs per game against BSU. Minnesota State is also a perfect 13-0 all-time at the BSU Softball Field.
