MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead softball is back in action this week with six games on the docket as part of the Midwest College Classic in Shawnee, Kan. Action is slated to begin Friday morning and wrap up on Sunday. 

Live video will be available at msumdragons.com. Please note that Baller TV, the tournament's streaming platform, is a pay-per-view service. Moorhead has not competed since the Jamestown Bubble Tournament where they won one of three games. MSUM will begin the Midwest College Classic on Friday against Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western before taking on Central Missouri and ninth-ranked Missouri Southern. The Dragons will conclude the tournament on Sunday against #17 Central Oklahoma and Rockhurst. 

Young Arms Start Strong...MSUM has seen solid pitching performances from its younger arms so far this season. Sophomore Bella Hess has held opposing batters to a .243 average in nine innings pitched. True freshman Morgan Daugaard has also been stingy, holding opponents to a .267 averaged in four innings of work. Senior Brynna Farman has also played a major role in the circle, striking out seven batters and limiting opponents to a .294 average. 

First One Down...The Dragons earned their first win of the 2026 season on February 6 against Bismarck State College. MSUM would trail in the sixth inning of that game, eventually tying the contest in the frame. With the game in the balance in the home half of the seventh, Teagan Pranchke would single to begin the inning. Loie Moore would get on base in the ensuing at-bat after Pranchke was thrown out at second. Lexie Wilson would step in next, delivering a single which advanced Moore into scoring position. However, Bismarck State would commit a critical error, which allowed Moore to score. The late hit from the senior helped lead the Dragons to a thrilling 5-4 victory. 

Vets With Lumber...The senior Pranchke and Wilson have led the Dragons at the plate so far this season with both players holding an average above .400. Both seniors have nine hits on the season with Wilson leading the team with a .450 batting average. The Rosemount, Minn., native has been effective in working out walks as well, earning six so far this season. Pranchke bolsters a .429 average with two stolen bases on her ledger. 

Young Guns Drive 'Em Home...Moorhead has seen its true freshmen collective drive in important runs throughout the young season. Moore leads the Dragons with seven RBIs as well as a solid .389 batting average. Sami Macchiaroli is not far behind Moore, having knocked in five runs so far this season behind a .333 average. Fellow freshman Riley McKeever has also been a key contributor at the dish for MSUM, tallying eight hits and a .421 batting average. 

In The Field...Moorhead has been sturdy in the field so far this season, bolstering a collective .948 fielding percentage. Currently, 14 Dragons hold a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, paced by the freshman McKeever. Fellow frosh Moore has also been flawless in the field in 13 chances while Pranchke has been unblemished behind the plate. 

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