Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University softball team opens their NSIC slate this Friday and Saturday. Game dates, times, and locations were adjusted earlier this week due to the potential of a winter storm and colder temps. Northern will face Augustana at 6 and 8 p.m. on Friday, March 22 from the American State Bank Sport Complex in Sioux Center, Iowa. They will then travel to Mankato and face the Mavericks at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday from the Maverick All-Sports Dome.
 
GAME & FAN INFORMATION

• Live coverage links are available above or on the schedule page at nsuwolves.com

 
NORTHERN STATE STORYLINES

• The Wolves enter league play with a 14-6 record overall
• They are hitting .342 with 196 hits, 36 doubles, seven triples, six homeruns, 116 RBI, and 123 runs scored
• Lexi Chase and Elly Smith led the offense hitting .468 and .463 respectively
• Smith has recorded a team leading 18 RBI and six doubles, while Claire Zbylut leads the team with 26 hits and 22 runs scored
• The pitching staff posts a 2.56 ERA through 131.0 innings pitched with 126 strikeouts and a .246 opponent batting average
• Mckenzie Wanner and Taylor Coleman lead the staff with four wins each, while Wanner has a team low 2.42 ERA and Coleman leads the squad with 41 strikeouts and a .185 opponent batting average

 
AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY STORYLINES

• Augustana holds a record of 15-12
• AU is hitting .304 with 225 hits, 43 doubles, seven triples, 20 homeruns, 121 RBI, and 129 runs scored
• Desi Cuevas leads the offense with a .407 averaging, notching 35 hits, including three triples
• Torri Chute leads the team with 24 RBI and five homeruns, while Andrea Cain has tallied a team leading 18 runs scored
• The pitching staff holds a 2.66 ERA through 179.1 innings pitched with 153 strikeouts and a .238 opponent average
• SDSU transfer Grace Glanzer leads the staff with a 0.75 ERA, 72 strikeouts, and .165 opponent batting average
• The Vikings are led by head coach Gretta Melsted in her 18^th season at the helm

 
LAST MEETING

• Northern was swept by Augustan in 2023 with games scores of 8-7 and 11-0
• The Wolves are 33-3 all-time versus the Vikings, with their last win coming in 2018

 
MINNESOTA STATE STORYLINES

• The Mavericks enter the weekend with a 20-6 record overall
• Minnesota State is hitting .315 with 213 hits, 41 doubles, six triples, 13 homeruns, 122 RBI, and 147 runs scored
• Gianna Lara leads the team hitting .385 with 30 hits, seven doubles, four homeruns, and 26 RBI
• The MSU pitching staff posts a 1.53 ERA through 169.1 innings pitched with 149 strikeouts and a .203 opponent average
• Maddie Oetzmann leads the team in the circle with a 9-1 record, 0.60 ERA, and .142 opponent batting average
• McKayla Armbruster has nine wins of her own, as well as a 1.45 ERA and team high 68 strikeouts
• Head Coach Lori Meyer is in her 40^th season leading the program

 
LAST MEETING

• The Wolves and Mavericks split with scores of 4-1 (MSU) and 4-2 (NSU) in the spring of 2023
• Northern is 7-18 all-time versus Minnesota State