Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University softball team continues NSIC play from Moccasin Creek Softball Complex this Saturday and Sunday versus Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State. First pitch of the doubleheaders is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday against the Cougars and 12 p.m. on Sunday versus the Mustangs.
 
GAME & FAN INFORMATION

• Fan will be permitted into the facility, however interaction with the participating student-athletes and coaches is prohibited
  • Fans must remain distanced from the team dugout areas
• Facial coverings and social distancing are encouraged
• Live stats and live video are also available at the link above
• The new NSIC Network is now live; search "NSIC Network" on your favorite device to download the app and watch the Wolves all season long

 
NORTHERN STATE STORYLINES

• The Wolves enter the second half of the season with an 18-8 record overall and 9-3 mark in the NSIC
• Northern is hitting .336 as a team with 231 hits, 36 doubles, three triples, 23 homeruns, 121 RBI, and 137 runs scored
• Makenzie Merritt and Rachel Reinke lead the team hitting .351 and .345 this season, with six of the starting nine hitting above .300
• Merritt has a team high seven homeruns and 26 RBI, while Reinke has scored a team high 26 runs
• The Wolves pitching staff posts a 3.10 ERA through 162.1 innings pitched with a .245 opponent batting average and 211 strikeouts
• Elyse Cuttic and Meghan Anderson each have nine wins on the season, with Cuttic notching a team low 2.61 ERA and Anderson leading the staff with 117 strikeouts
• The pair each threw a no-hitter versus Minnesota Crookston last Sunday

 
SIOUX FALLS STORYLINES

• The Cougars head to Aberdeen with a 12-14 record overall and 6-6 mark in the NSIC
• Sioux Falls is hitting .244, notching 170 hits, 33 doubles, one triple, nine homeruns, 79 RBI, and 90 runs scored
• Damaris Cuevas leads the team with a .463 average and .612 slugging percentage
• The USF pitching staff posts a 3.38 ERA through 174.0 innings pitched with 157 strikeouts and a .297 opponent batting average
• Both Kaitlyn Van Der Zwagg and Hanna Cress have six wins on the year, with Van Der Zwagg notching a 3.10 ERA and Cress tossing a team high 81 strikeouts
• USF is led by head coach Shannon Pivovar in her third season at the helm

 
LOOKING BACK TO 2019

• The Cougars swept the Wolves with scores of 7-5 and 8-3 in 2019
• Northern is 11-9 all-time versus the University of Sioux Falls

 
SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE STORYLINES

• The Mustangs enter the weekend with a 16-10 record overall and 7-5 mark in the NSIC
• Southwest is hitting .311 this season with 220 hits, 41 doubles, nine triples, 16 homeruns, 116 RBI, and 126 runs scored
• Emma Grote and Lileya Kebos lead the team hitting .448 and .418 respectively, with a combined 72 hits and 34 runs scored
• The Mustangs staff posts a 3.60 ERA through 167.0 innings pitched with a .296 opponent batting average and 132 strikeouts
• Megan Cull leads the staff with a 2.83 ERA, 8-3 record, and 59 strikeouts this season
• SMSU is led by head coach Bailey Bouman in her third season with the program

 
LOOKING BACK TO MARCH 7

• The Wolves and Mustangs split from the Presentation College Dome, with Northern notching a 2-1 game one victory
• Northern is 21-58 all-time versus Southwest Minnesota State