MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team will make their home debut on Thursday when the Dragons host Minot State for a NSIC doubleheader. The first game will be at 2 p.m. at Scheels Field at Nemzek Stadium. The second game will begin shortly after the first game ends.
The Dragons are then scheduled to take to the road to face Augustana and Wayne State on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Live video and stats for the Minot doubleheader will be available on msumdragons.com.
Last Time Out
The Dragons went 0-4 last weekend, losing to Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls in games that were relocated to Aberdeen, S.D. Against Southwest Minnesota State, sophomore outfielder
Madison Paige went 1-for-3 with an RBI, while freshman Becky Berth was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Berth also took the loss, pitching seven innings with four strikeouts and three walks. In Game 2,
Tori White took the loss, giving up five runs in 4.2 innings. She recorded three strikeouts.
Payton Gaber pitched the final 2.1 innings, allowing four unearned runs.
Against Sioux Falls, the Dragons were led by
Payton Gaber, who was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Game two was a pitching duel for nine innings before the Cougars got five runs in the 10th. The Dragons attempted to make a comeback thanks to a two-run single by Gaber. The Dragons had the tying run at the plate, but a groundout ended the game.
Team Leaders
Ashley McCance leads the team with a .382 batting average with three home runs and 11 runs batted in.
Madison Paige has a .369 batting average along with eight doubles, which leads the team. Paige also leads the team with 19 runs batted in. The top pitcher for the Dragons is Berth, who is 6-8 with a 5.02 ERA in 83.2 innings pitched. She has 53 strikeouts and 10 complete games.
About the Beavers
Minot State is 19-14 this season, with a 6-6 conference record. Their last action was on April 7-8, when they split doubleheaders with Augustana and Wayne State. The Dragons and Beavers faced each other on Feb. 18, when the Beavers won a 6-5 game. The top batter for the Beavers is Tori Zimmerman, who is batting .517 with seven home runs and 19 doubles, both of which lead the team. Their top pitcher is Kylie Patrick, who is 11-5 with a 4.89 ERA in 103.0 innings pitched.
About the Vikings
Augustana is 26-8 this season, with an 8-2 conference record. Their last action was April 6-7, when they split doubleheaders with the University of Mary and Minot State. Prior to facing MSUM, they will face Southwest Minnesota State on Wednesday. The Vikings are led by Ashley Mickschl, who is batting .486 with three home runs and 27 runs batted in. Mickschl also leads the team in pitching with a 11-3 record along with an ERA of 2.43.
About the Wildcats
Wayne State is 10-21 this season, with a 4-8 conference record. Their last action was April 7-8, when they swept a doubleheader against the University of Mary and split a doubleheader with Minot State. Their top hitter is Katelyn Wobken, who is batting .375 with two home runs and 17 runs batted in. Maddie Moser leads the team in pitching with a 2-8 record and a 5.68 ERA in 81.1 innings pitched.
Upcoming Action
The Dragons will travel to St. Cloud for a doubleheader against the Huskies on April 17 before returning to Moorhead to host Northern State, Minnesota State Mankato, and Concordia-St. Paul.
