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Aberdeen, S.D. - The Northern State University softball team will travel to Minot, N.D. tomorrow to take on the Beavers of Minot State University. Game times are set for 2 and 4 p.m. for the NSIC double header. The Wolves are currently 8-18 overall and 1-9 in the conference. 

Northern is coming off a four loss weekend from home as they faced off against Concordia-St. Paul and Minnesota State. NSU has hit some bumps along the road as they are on a nine game loss streak, however 11 of their 26 games this season have been decided be one or two runs. Eryn Yancy led the NSU offense as she was 5-13 in the four games with one RBI. Freshman Rachel Albright broke the single season home run record in game one with the Golden Bears as she sent a shot to left field. Her seventh of the year, broke the record which was set back in 1985. The Wolves fell with scores of 1-3 and 2-3 to the Golden Bears, and 0-4 and 1-11 against the Mavericks. The Wolves currently have three starters above .300 in average led by Albright at .347 on the year. NSU ace Kami Smesmo leads the team with 55 strikeouts in 84.1 innings pitched. Yancy was hot behind the plate over the weekend throwing out four opponents on attempted steals of second base. The Wolves are looking to find a groove at the plate as they left 19 runners on base. Defensively Ashley Clapp laid it all out there, literally, making an impressive backwards diving catch to keep the Golden Bears at bay in Saturday play. Northern must look to rally as a team and connect when runners are in scoring position during conference games this week. 

Minot State

The Beavers have lost only nine games in 2014. Last weekend they went 3-1 against Winona State and Upper Iowa with the loss coming against the Peacocks. Minot currently has seven starters hitting above 300 on the year led by Ali Cygan at .370 with 37 hits. The Beavers are patient at the plate with four players in double-digit walks led by Jen Dixon with 18. Dixon and Melissa Bell have each notched six dingers on the year. The Beaver pitching staff is led by Mindy Lorimor who is 15-5 on the year with a 1.75 ERA. Lorimor has 80 strikeouts in 124.1 innings pitched. Minot is currently fifth in the conference overall standings. 

Last Match-Up

The two teams did not play a season ago due to weather cancellations. Prior to entering the NSIC for conference competition the Beavers stole to games from the Wolves in Aberdeen in 2012. This year's NSU squad holds only three players from the 2012 games, while the Beavers house four players.