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Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University baseball team will kick-off the 2016 NSIC season on the road at Southwest Minnesota State next Monday and Tuesday. The Wolves and Mustangs will face-off in a pair of doubleheaders beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Monday and 12 p.m. on Tuesday.
 
The Wolves enter the series with a 7-5 record from the Tucson Invitational. NSU tallied back-to-back NSIC Players of the Week in Matt Stubbs and Lucas Lorenz. The duo are crucial components of the potent NSU offense this season each hitting above .400. Jack Schmidt leads the team with a .540 average, followed by Stubbs coming in at an even .500. The Wolves have combined for 172 hits, 132 runs scored, 116 runs batted in, 30 doubles, 24 homeruns, and nine triples, while hitting .371 this season. Five players sit above .400 on the year, while another three have breached the .300 mark. Lucas Lorenz leads the team with seven homeruns and a 1.021 slugging percentage, followed by Stubbs with six. Stubbs also leads the team with 29 hits and 21 RBI.
 
Colton Boucher leads the team on the hill with two wins in three appearances. The senior has tallied 23 strikeouts in 18.1 innings of work, and currently holds a 4.91 ERA. Dillon Lee leads the team with a 0.84 ERA in 10.2 innings pitched. He has also recorded nine strikeouts in five appearances. Nick Hoffard, Cody Vandever, Marcus Manderbach, Isaiah Greene, and Erick Cervenka each have garnered a win this season. Manderbach is second on the team with 15 strikeouts and also holds the team's lone save.
 
About the Mustangs
- Southwest Minnesota is 2-13 heading into the NSIC opener with victories over the University of Winnipeg and Northwestern (IA).
- Tanner Picht is leading the SMSU regulars with a .364 average and 20 hits this season
- As a unit, the Mustangs are hitting .267 on the year with 119 hits, 71 runs scored, 64 runs batted in, 28 doubles, six homeruns, and four triples
- Cole Peterson holds the team's two wins on the mound throwing 13 innings. Peterson has tallied 14 strikeouts with an 8.31 ERA
- The Mustangs are led by head coach Paul Blanchard in his 20^th season with the program. Blanchard entered the year with a 477-386-2 record
 
Last Meeting
- The Wolves defeated the Mustangs 17-7 in the opening game of the season
- Isaiah Greene notched the win for NSU, throwing the complete seventh inning. Greene gave up just one earned run and recorded a strikeout
- Northern recorded 13 team hits, led by Tyler Gripentrog with three. The Wolves combined for three doubles and four homeruns in the win
- The Wolves struggled against SMSU starter Thorvilson, however scored a combined 16 runs in the eighth and ninth to secure the victory