Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University softball team is set for their first NSIC Tournament appearance since 2018 tomorrow afternoon. The Wolves earned the tenth seed and will face seventh seeded Minot State. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m. from Bowden Field on the campus of Augustana University. The NSIC Tournament will be played in a single elimination format for the first time in 2024.
 
GAME & FAN INFORMATION

• Game links are available above or on the schedule page at nsuwolves.com
• Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance of the tournament; ticket options include a mobile version or a print at home option: www.northernsun.org/Tickets
• Bowden Field will open for spectators one hour prior to the first game of each day
  • NO pets are allowed in Bowden Field, service animals are welcome
• Spectators are NOT allowed to bring coolers into Bowden Field; concessions will be available with cash & credit card options for payment
• The NSIC tournament will be streamed on the NSIC Network for a charge of $10 per game or $25 for a tournament pass

 
NORTHERN STATE STORYLINES

• The Wolves enter the week with a 25-23 record overall, after going 11-17 in the Northern Sun
• NSU is hitting .312 with 439 hits, a record high 90 doubles, ten triples, 17 homeruns, 226 RBI, and 244 runs scored
• Ashley Fauske and Lexi Chase lead the offense with .369 and .364 averages respectively
• Fauske has a team high 59 hits and 42 runs scored, while Kyra Knudtson leads the team with 13 doubles and Claire Zbylut has hit in a team best 34 RBI
• Seven starters are hitting above the .300 mark heading into the postseason
• The Northern pitching staff posts a 3.40 ERA through 329.1 innings pitched with 274 strikeouts and a .268 opponent batting average
• Chase leads the staff with ten wins, 15 complete games, a 2.89 ERA, 112 strikeouts, and a .250 opponent average

 
MINOT STATE STORYLINES

• The Beavers enter the week with a 22-18 record overall, after going 18-10 in the NSIC
• Minot State is hitting .285 with 300 hits, 76 doubles, nine triples, nine homeruns, 169 RBI, and 178 runs scored
• Brooklyn Morrison leads the offense with a .391 average, 43 hits, and 27 runs scored
• Anna LaCount and Gabi Dawyduk are each hitting above .300 as well this season with averages of .378 and .307 respectively
• The MSU pitching staff posts a 2.96 ERA through 262.2 innings pitched with 126 strikeouts and a .281 opponent batting average
• Dawyduk leads the team in the circle with nine wins, a 2.23 ERA, and .252 opponent average
• Reegan Floyd adds eight wins and a 2.81 ERA, as well as a team best 60 strikeouts
• Minot State is led by head coach Sal Rodriguez in his first season at the helm

 
LAST MEETING

• The Wolves fell twice to the Beavers in regular season play with scores of 3-1 and 10-6
• The game one loss went into extra innings with Minot State grabbing two runs in the eighth; the Wolves had their opportunities in the game, leaving seven runners on base including four in scoring position
• Game two saw Minot score three unearned runs and Northern leave five runners on late in the contest
• Northern is 19-13 all-time against Minot State