THE GAMES AT A GLANCE
Friday, April 24 (1 p.m. and 3 p.m.) @ Southwest Minnesota State
Head Coach: Bailey Bouman
NSU vs. SMSU All-Time: 28-66                           Last Meeting: SMSU 11, NSU 5 [2025]
 
Saturday, April 25 (1 p.m. and 3 p.m.) @ Sioux Falls
Head Coach: Tommy Downs
NSU vs. USF All-Time: 15-16                                Last Meeting: USF 5, NSU 0 [2025]
 
FAN INFORMATION AND GAME COVERAGE
Live Stats (SMSU): https://smsumustangs.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary
Live Stats (USF): https://usfcougars.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary
Live Video: https://nsicnetwork.com/nsuwolves/
 
NORTHERN STATE STORYLINES

• The Wolves hold an 18-22 (8-14 NSIC) record with eight games left in the regular season
• The Wolves picked up four wins in their last six outings, recording a shutout series sweep over Minnesota Morris on Monday
• Through 40 games, NSU has racked up 163 runs on 296 hits, 143 RBIs, 48 doubles, eight triples, 15 homers, 11 stolen bases, 775 putouts, 289 assists and 162 strikeouts from the rubber
• Aune Boben is putting together a sound sophomore campaign through 40 games, recording 28 runs (leads team), 49 hits (leads team), 26 RBIs, 13 doubles (leads team), one triple, five homers, 68 putouts, 64 assists and 33 strikeouts on the mound
• The Minnesota native also boasts the second-highest batting average (.358) on the team
• Batting cleanup, senior Tevan Bryant is one of five Wolves hitting over .300 this season, with Bryant earning nine runs on 33 hits, six home runs (leads team) and 36 RBIs (leads team)
• Bryant has been walked 26 times this season, 10 more than her next teammate and tied for the fifth-most walks in the conference
• With 37 collegiate games under her belt, freshman Sydney Anderson quickly found her footing at the plate, hitting .374, the highest batting average for Northern, tallying 34 hits and 13 RBIs
• On the mound, Mckenzie Wanner has been Northern's ace this season, throwing 119.1 innings, recording 82 of NSU's 162 strikeouts and the lowest ERA on the team at 3.70

 
SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE STORYLINES

• The Mustangs are 25-23 (11-11 NSIC) this season, losing back-to-back games against Wayne State on Sunday
• Through 48 games, SMSU has notched 205 runs on 346 hits, 171 RBIs, 47 doubles, eight triples, 13 homers, 41 stolen bases, 930 putouts, 378 assists, 44 errors and 193 strikeouts on the mound
• Similar to NSU, Southwest Minnesota State has a freshman holding the highest batting average on the team in Aliza Acker, who has started all 48 games, recording 25 runs, 54 hits, 21 RBIs, 12 doubles and four home runs this season
• Both Paris Van Dyke and Riley Kramolisch have found success on offense, with both teammates recording at least 39 hits and 26 hits, with Van Dyke adding 17 RBIs
• With an ERA of 2.01, Jordyn Marsh has made it difficult to score against the Mustangs, earning 109 strikeouts and holding a 17-7 record in 164.0 innings
• Bailey Bouman is in her eighth season at the helm of Southwest Minnesota State's softball team, earning 166 wins in the position

 
WOLVES AND MUSTANGS HISTORY

• NSU is 5-5 in its last 10 matchups against SMSU, with the Mustangs taking their two meetings in 2025

 
SIOUX FALLS STORYLINES

• The Cougars are 24-23 (12-10 NSIC) after breaking their four-game losing streak against their crosstown rival, taking both games over Augustana
• This season, USF has recorded 195 runs on 311 hits, 159 RBIs, 58 doubles, 13 triples, eight homers, 96 stolen bases, 935 putouts, 383 assists, 44 errors and 301 strikeouts on defense
• Emma Kristof has been a key reason for the Cougars' success, racking up 25 runs, 43 hits, 25 RBIs and four home runs
• In 47 appearances, Kyra Knudtson has earned 22 runs this season and 27 RBIs, leading the team in RBIs while adding 12 doubles
• In the field, Knudtson has been stellar, recording 333 putouts and seven games with at least 10
• With 202 strikeouts in 27 appearances, Maddi Duncan is one of the best pitchers in the NSIC, boasting the fifth-lowest ERA (1.84) in the NSIC, the third-lowest opposing batting average (.181) in the conference while leading the nation in strikeouts
• Tommy Downs has earned 24 wins in his first season with the Cougars, holding a winning record through 47 games

 
WOLVES AND COUGARS HISTORY

• Sioux Falls has come out on top in its last three matchups against Northern State and owns the series at 16-15