MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team heads to Florida to compete at the Dot Richardson Spring Games, starting on Saturday in Clermont, Fla.  The Dragons will play 10 games in Florida, beginning with games against Mercy College and the New York Institute of Technology.
 
MSUM (0-2) opened its season with a nonconference doubleheader on Tuesday against Minnesota Duluth and fell, 10-0 and 4-0 in the two games. While it was MSUM's opener, it was the 16th and 17th games for UMD.
 
Freshman second baseman Jill Fox leads MSUM with a .333 average, while freshman first baseman Lauren Meeker is hitting .250.
 
MSUM played well in the field in its season debut, committing just one error in the two games.
 
On the mound, MSUM is led by sophomore Kristen Nordby, who was solid in the second game of the doubleheader. She is 0-1 with a 2.00 ERA in seven innings.
 
Former Dragon Kelsey Fehl is in her fourth season as MSUM's head coach.
 
About Mercy (2 p.m. on Saturday): The Mavericks are 3-5 so far. They will play four more games in Florida prior to facing MSUM. Kelly Bentson leads Mercy with a 3-5 record while Michelle Duford is hitting .417. On the mound, Mary Sieber is 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA in 16.1 innings.  Mike Fazio is in his fourth season as Mercy's head coach.
 
About New York Institute of Technology (6 p.m. on Saturday; 4 p.m. on Monday): The Bears will open the season Friday in Florida and play three games prior to facing MSUM.  They were 14-30 a year ago. Stephen Christianson is in his ninth season as the NYIT head coach.
 
St. Michael's College (2 p.m. on Sunday): St. Michael's College will open the 2014 season in Florida, and will play three games prior to facing MSUM. The top returning hitter for the Purple Knights, who were 4-39 a year ago, is Greer Lenmah, who hit .288 in 2013.  Senior Laura McCormack is the top returning pitcher after going 0-8 with a 7.36 ERA a year ago. Robyn Newton is in her 14th season as St. Michael's head coach with a record of 155-341-1 at the school.
 
Slippery Rock (6 p.m. on Sunday): Slippery Rock is 2-3 on the season. They will face three NSIC teams in Florida prior to facing MSUM. Ashley Samluk leads the Rock at .500 with a homer and three RBI, while McKenzie Popatak is hitting .455. Slippery Rock is hitting .277 as a team. Carly DeRose is 1-1 with a 2.68 ERA in 15.2 innings to lead the pitching staff. Becky Sciacca is in her third year as Slippery Rock's head coach with a record of 34-40 at the school.
 
Ursuline College (Noon on Monday): The Arrows are off to a 6-3 start on the season. They will play seven games in Florida prior to facing MSUM, including five games against NSIC teams.  Sue Woodford is in her ninth season as Urusline's head coach.
 
St. Leo (4 p.m. on Tuesday): St. Leo is 15-11 on the season. The team will play eight games prior to facing MSUM on Tuesday. Through 26 games, Chelsey Steedley is hitting .339 for the Lions while Adriana Sanders is hitting .324 with two doubles, three triples, a homer and 10 RBI. On the mound Sarah Steiner is 8-5 with a 2.00 ERA in 63 innings.  John Conway is in his fourth season as St. Leo's head coach with a record of 102-88 at the school.
 
West Chester (6 p.m. on Tuesday): West Chester is 6-4 on the season. The Golden Rams will play seven games in Florida prior to facing MSUM. Kim Muri leads the team with a .391 average, while All Vavala is hitting .375.  On the mound, Katie Erb is 2-1 with 3.32 ERA in 25.1 innings. Diane Lokey is in her 11th season as West Chester's head coach with a record of 269-234-1 at the school.
 
New Haven (Noon on Wednesday): New Haven is 2-0 on the year. The Chargers will play six games in Florida prior to facing the Dragons. Jess Spivey leads New Haven with a .750 average while Lindsey Couturier is hitting .500. On the mound, Nicole King is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in seven innings.  Jen Satrek is in her eighth season as New Haven's head coach with a record of 234-121 at the school.
 
Caldwell College (2 p.m. on Wednesday): Caldwell will open the season on Friday in Florida and will play nine games prior to facing the Dragons. Caldwell finished 45-12 a year ago. Brielle Reighn hit .431 last season for the Cougars while Alyssa Calderon hit .370 with eight homers and 40 RBI. Dean Johnson is in his 20th season as Caldwell's head coach with a record of 598-287-2 at the school.