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Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University softball team will kick off the NSIC season this weekend on the road at Southwest Minnesota State and University of Sioux Falls. The Wolves will match-up with the Mustangs, Saturday at 1 p.m., and then with the Cougars, Sunday at 12 p.m., for a pair of doubleheaders.
 
The Wolves are 13-10 on the year. Eryn Yancy and Rachel Albright lead the team in average at .348 and .306 respectively. Yancy sits atop the Wolves with 24 hits, six homeruns, eight doubles, 17 RBI, and a slugging percentage of .725. Kalie Maiden has tallied a team high eight stolen bases and 11 runs scored. Kelsey Gale matches Maiden with 11 runs scored of her own and 17 hits this season. The Wolves are hitting .252 on the year with 146 hits. Kami Smesmo leads the team with a 2.03 ERA, nine wins, and 48 strikeouts in 86 innings pitched. Missy Elkins has tallied three wins in 12 appearances, while Rachel Albright has one win in three appearances. Both Elkins and Smesmo have tallied one shutout this season. The NSU staff is holding their opponents to a .286 average on the year.
 
About SMSU
 
The Mustangs are 11-9 thus far this season, with the Wolves being the first NSIC opponents of the year. Karmann Carroll is leading the SMSU starters with a .340 average on the year, ahead of four teammates also above .300. Jazmyne Neely sits atop the team with ten RBI and 20 hits. The Mustangs are hitting .283 as a team this season, with three homeruns and 139 hits total. Alex O'Connor is atop the SMSU pitching staff with a 3.14 ERA and seven wins this season. In her 71.1 innings pitched she has tallied nine complete games and 54 strikeouts. The Southwest pitchers are holding their opponents to a .280 average, and have given up 146 hits and 14 homeruns this season.
 
About USF
 
The Cougars are 14-6 this season, and will open NSIC play versus MSU Moorhead in Saturday softball action. Five USF hitters sit above .300 on the year, led by Taylor Jonas with a .444 average. Danielle Walker is second on the team with a .386 mark and a team leading 22 hits. Betsy Thomas is leading the team with 21 RBI and seven homeruns. She is tied for second in the league in homeruns this season. Breanna Black is leading the Sioux Falls pitching staff with a 2.15 ERA, while Alyson Netty has a team leading eight wins. Black has tallied five wins of her own and one save, with 24 strikeouts. Netty holds a 3.44 ERA and leads the team with 67 strikeouts. Shae Hoskins has tallied a team leading two saves, with a 2.76 ERA this season.