MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead softball is set to kick off the 2025 home schedule this week as the Dragons open NSIC play. MSUM is set to host Augustana on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. before taking on Minnesota State on Saturday at 12 p.m.

Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com. Please note that dates and times have been adjusted from the original schedule which had the doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday. 

The Dragons last competed at the MIAA-NSIC Crossover Tournament, which saw them win one of six games. MSUM was able to pick up a win to close the tournament against Nebraska Kearney, 4-3. 

At the plate this season, senior Avery Steffen leads the Dragons with a .396 batting average which includes 36 hits, 24 runs and nine RBIs. Fellow senior Annika Norman has also been sharp for MSUM, hitting for a .370 average with 30 hits and 16 RBIs. Natalie Gonzalez and Teagan Pranchke each have identical .315 averages, combining for 40 hits. Senior Eliya Johnson is hitting for a .284 average with 13 RBIs and a team-high three home runs. 

In the circle, sophomore Teagan Clemmons paces the Dragons having pitched 52 innings with a 4.04 ERA and 49 strikeouts. Steffen has pitched 57 innings with 59 strikeouts for the Dragons while freshman Bella Hess has pitched 30.1 innings. Four Dragons have perfect 1.000 fielding percentages in Jessie Henry, Kayla Kraft, Brynna Farman and Hess. As a team, MSUM holds a .951 fielding percentage. 

Vanessa Kellems is in her first season as MSUM's head softball coach.