MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State softball team wraps up the NSIC regular season this weekend at the MSU Softball Complex, hosting Minnesota Crookston on Saturday, May 2, and MSU Moorhead on Sunday, May 3. Saturday's doubleheader will begin with a senior day celebration before the Mavericks face Minnesota Crookston at noon, with game two scheduled to follow at 2 p.m. Minnesota State will return to action Sunday against MSU Moorhead, with first pitch set for noon and the second game to follow at 2 p.m.
About the Mavericks
The Mavericks went 3-1 on the road last weekend, opening the stretch with an 8-6 extra-inning win over Minnesota Duluth in game one. Minnesota State then traveled to Bemidji State, where it swept the Beavers by scores of 12-1 in five innings and 12-2 in game two.
With three conference wins last weekend, MSU improved to 16-10 in NSIC play and 29-21 overall this season. Under first-year head coach Kristle Wolcott, the Mavericks enter the final weekend of the regular season holding fourth place in the NSIC standings.
As a team, Minnesota State owns a .306 batting average, ranking fifth in the NSIC this season, while adding a .472 slugging percentage through 40 games played. In the circle, the Maverick pitching staff has posted a 3.85 ERA and has held opposing hitters to a .261 batting average.
Junior Maddie Oetzmann made an impact in multiple areas for Minnesota State last week, helping the Mavericks finish 3-1 over four games. In the circle, Oetzmann went 2-0 with a 3.50 ERA, throwing a team-high 12.0 innings while recording eight strikeouts. She held opposing hitters to a .292 batting average and allowed six earned runs. Offensively, Oetzmann also contributed by hitting .333, going 2-for-6 with one double and four RBI.
Nyah Hulbert delivered one of MSU's strongest offensive performances of the week as Minnesota State went 3-1. The freshman hit .778, going 7-for-9 with a team-high seven hits, while adding three doubles, 10 total bases and a 1.111 slugging percentage. She also posted an .800 on-base percentage, scored three runs and went 2-for-3 on stolen base attempts. On the season, Hulbert holds the second-best batting average on the team at .375 and has added three home runs.
As the lone senior for Minnesota State, Gianna Lara has been a key piece in the Mavericks' lineup this season, holding a .349 batting average while leading the team with nine home runs. During last weekend's four-game stretch, Lara went 6-for-14 at the plate with four runs scored and eight RBI, including one home run. Her nine home runs also rank sixth in the NSIC this season.
About the Golden Eagles
Minnesota Crookston enters the weekend with a 14-37 overall record and an 8-18 mark in NSIC play, while currently riding a four-game losing streak. Last weekend, the Golden Eagles fell to St. Cloud State by scores of 5-1 and 16-1 on Saturday before dropping both games to Concordia-St. Paul on Sunday by finals of 7-0 and 5-1. UMC's most recent win came against MSU Moorhead, where the Golden Eagles earned a 15-11 victory. Minnesota Crookston is led by head coach Ashton Sangster, who is in her second season at the helm of the program.
The Golden Eagles currently sit in 13th place in the NSIC standings and hold a .273 team batting average with a .377 slugging percentage. In the circle, Minnesota Crookston's pitching staff owns a 5.99 ERA, while opponents are batting .317 against them.
Chayse Doering has helped lead Minnesota Crookston's offensive efforts this season, posting a .340 batting average and a .576 slugging percentage. The sophomore outfielder has totaled four home runs and 32 RBI on the year, while also collecting six hits across four games last weekend.
Minnesota State holds a 29-1 all-time record against Minnesota Crookston and has won each of the last five meetings between the two programs. The last four matchups have taken place in Mankato, Minnesota, including last season's doubleheader sweep where the Mavericks defeated the Golden Eagles by scores of 6-0 and 5-1. Historically, MSU has averaged eight runs per game against UMC and remains unbeaten against the Golden Eagles on its home field.
About the Dragons
Vanessa Kellems, now in her second season as head coach, has led MSU Moorhead to a 9-40 overall record and a 7-19 mark in NSIC play. The Dragons currently sit in 14th place in the conference standings. Last weekend, MSUM split its doubleheader with Concordia-St. Paul, winning game two by an 8-7 final. The Dragons then dropped both contests against St. Cloud State on Sunday, falling by scores of 7-1 and 14-0.
At the plate, MSU Moorhead owns a .272 team batting average and a .334 slugging percentage. In the circle, the Dragons' pitching staff holds a 6.53 ERA, while opponents are batting .343 against them.
Loie Moore has been a key offensive contributor for MSU Moorhead, batting .688 after going 11-for-16 across six games. During that span, she posted a .737 on-base percentage and a 1.424 OPS while recording a pair of four-hit performances. Moore also scored six runs, drove in three and stole six bases on seven attempts.
Historically, Minnesota State holds a 50-11-1 all-time record against MSU Moorhead. The Mavericks have won two of the last six meetings between the two programs, including both games of last season's doubleheader in Moorhead, Minnesota, by scores of 8-5 and 11-2. Minnesota State has averaged nearly 6.55 runs per game against the Dragons in the all-time series.
