Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University softball team opens the 2022 season from the Presentation College Dome this Friday and Saturday. The Wolves will face Dickinson State and Dordt at 12 and 2 p.m. on Friday and Valley City State and the College of Saint Mary at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Saturday.
 
GAME & FAN INFORMATION

• Live video and stat links are available above or on the full schedule on nsuwolves.com

 
NORTHERN STATE STORYLINES

• The Wolves went 23-20 overall in 2021 and 13-13 in the NSIC, qualifying for the league tournament
• Northern went 1-2 from the NSIC tournament with a win over Concordia-St. Paul in the losers' bracket
• NSU was picked tenth overall in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll
• The 2022 season brings a blank slate for the NSU program after a coaching change and graduating a large senior class
• The Wolves return four starting position players and one starting pitcher from a season ago, welcoming six fresh faces

 
DICKINSON STATE STORYLINES

• Dickinson State went 34-15 overall in 2021 and advanced to the first round of the NAIA National Tournament
• The Blue Hawks were picked to win the NSAA per the Preseason Coaches' Poll and are receiving votes at the NAIA level
• DSU opens their season versus the Wolves
• Dickinson is led by head coach Kristen Fleury in her 13^th season at the helm

 
LAST MEETING

• Northern is 0-2 all-time against Dickinson State, facing off last in a 2006 doubleheader

 
DORDT STORYLINES

• The Defenders open the season at the PC Dome after going 21-25 in 2021
• Dordt is led by head coach Jeff Zomer in his 13^th season at the helm

 
LAST MEETING

• The Wolves recorded a 9-0 win over the Defenders in 2019
• Northern is 1-1 all-time against Dordt

 
VALLEY CITY STATE STORYLINES

• The Vikings enter the weekend with a 2-2 record overall, notching wins of UMary and Dakota Wesleyan from the Minot Dome
• VCSU is hitting .303 with 30 hits, 31 runs scored, 11 doubles, and three homeruns
• The pitching staff posts a 7.00 ERA and .407 opponent batting averaging through 22 innings pitched
• Valley City is led by head coach Mark Mattson in his third season at the helm

 
LAST MEETING

• Northern State fell to Valley City 7-0 in February of 2019
• The Wolves are 25-29 all-time against the Vikings

 
COLLEGE OF SAINT MARY STORYLINES

• The Flames went 9-31 overall and 4-18 in the GPAC in 2021, graduating seven from that roster
• CSM returns all-conference honorable mention selection Maddie Nekola who hit .321 a season ago
• Saint Mary is led by head coach Carolyn Todd Bray

 
LAST MEETING

• Saturday's contest is the first meeting between the two programs