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Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University softball team will travel this Wednesday to take on the University of Minnesota Duluth in their 49^th and 50^th games of the 2016 season. The Wolves are coming off of a big weekend on the road, splitting with both Upper Iowa and Winona State. Late in the season, Northern State has compiled a 21-27 overall record, and sit ninth in the NSIC with an 11-13 record.
 
Making seven starts last week, senior Macey Engel boosted the NSU offense going 11-20 from the plate with three doubles and a homerun. Engel continues to lead Northern State in homeruns and RBIs with seven and 30 respectively. The Wolves have continued to improve their team batting average late in the season, averaging .249 as a unit.
 
The Northern State pitching staff has also been a key component to the team success, notching a combined ERA of 3.14. Both Jamie Fisher and Missy Elkins have collected three shutouts on the year.
 
The Wolves will face the University of Minnesota Duluth at 2 and 4 p.m. from Junction Avenue Field.
 
About the University of Minnesota Duluth

• UMD enters the week with an overall record of 27-12 and stand 16-6 in conference action.
• Natalie Wright leads the Bulldogs from the plate, recording a batting average of .400 with a team-high 38 RBIs and four homeruns.
• The UMD pitching staff holds an ERA of 2.84 compared to their opponents 4.51. Sam Hartmann leads the team with 13 victories from the mound.
• The Bulldogs are led by head coach, Jen Walter. Walter is currently in her first season with the program after coaching 16 years at the College of St. Scholastica.

Last Match-Up

• The two teams matched up four times in the 2015 season with UMD picking up three wins.
• The Bulldogs swept the Wolves in conference play, with a 4-1 and a 6-5 victory.
• Macey Engel led the Wolves going 2-3 in game one, while Michaela Liebl propelled NSU in game two going 1-4 with two RBIs.