MINOT, N.D. - After a brief yet successful homestand, the Minot State softball teams is back on the road for another half dozen games.

While life on the road might be challenging, the Beavers head coach Nat Wagner also sees the benefits of the challenges involved.

"On one hand, it is long hours on the bus, some missed classes, and a departure from the home routine; on the other hand, it means more time with teammates, the comradery that comes from being together - sharing time with roommates, bus karaoke - just kids having fun together," Wagner said.

"We appreciate our opportunities to play at home in great facilities, and we love to set out as road warriors. Every day with this is group is a gift. We are striving for consistency this year, and so far we have played like the same team on the road as at home. We want to keep enjoying the ride."

That ride continues with a doubleheader at Wayne State on Saturday with first-pitch set for noon, then comes the biggest test of the season for Minot State as the Beavers play a twinbill at No. 14-ranked Augustana on Sunday at noon. The road trip wraps up Tuesday with a final NSIC doubleheader at Northern State at 1 p.m.

While being consistent means not overlooking any game or underestimating any opponent, it's hard not to look at Sunday's doubleheader as a potentially defining moment for the Beavers (24-8 overall, 5-3 NSIC), who are off to the second-best start in program history.

Augustana (22-7, 6-2) is the defending league champion and coaches preseason favorite to take the NSIC title this spring after advancing to the NCAA Final Eight last season. They sit one game ahead of the Beavers in the current league standings.

"We love the challenge," Wagner said looking ahead to Sunday's contests. "Augie has built a juggernaut - they are extremely athletic and well coached. If we want to be a nationally competitive program, we need to play at that level. These are huge games both in terms of trying to leap teams in standings and as a test to see where we are in terms of culture and competitive strength."

The Beavers and the Vikings are setting the standard for the entire NSIC this spring as Augustana is first in batting average (.345) and Minot State is second (.334), the teams' pitching staffs are second and fifth in ERA respectively (Vikings at2.15 and Beavers at 2.18), and defensively Minot State is No. 1 (.975) and Augustana is No. 3 (.965) in fielding percentage.

Before the Beavers battle with one of the league's best, they take on a tough foe in Wayne State (5-24, 2-6) which has won two of its last four, which includes a 2-1 victory at No. 18-ranked Minnesota State, Mankato.

Kortney Buresh and Riley Holmberg lead the way offensively for Wayne State hitting .359 and .308 respectively, with Buresh adding in a team-high 11 stolen bases and 14 runs scored. Jenna Etmans and Kim Vidlak provide the power punch as each have two home runs and a team-best 12 RBIs each.
Hadley Chvatal leads the way in the circle with 23 appearances and 63 strikeouts, both team highs.

As for the Vikings, Mary Pardo leads the way hitting .380 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs, while Delaney Young is hitting .368 with eight homers and 36 RBIs for an Augustana lineup that has blasted 44 home runs this spring, 11^th-most in the nation.

In the circle, the one-two punch of Amber Elliott and Ashley Mickschl set the tone as Elliott is 8-2 with a 1.39 ERA and 51 Ks, and Mickschl is also 8-2 with a 2.13 ERA and 35 Ks.

As for the Beavers, they will combat the long-ball of Augustana and their other foes with small-ball and speed as Minot State No. 2 in the nation in total stolen bases (115) and in stolen bases per game (3.59).

Jamie Odlum leads the way with an NSIC-best .500 batting average and team-highs of 29 RBIs and 16 stolen bases, while Kiera Shawluk is hitting .410 and one of three players with 16 stolen bases on the Minot State roster.

In the circle, Trinity Valentine earned her 11^th win on Wednesday and is 11-5 with a 2.00 ERA and 86 strikeouts, while Jasmine Blizzard (37 Ks, 4-1) leads the Beavers in ERA (1.77), and Reegan Floyd has added a third stellar pitching option for Minot State as she is 7-2 overall with a 2.66 ERA and 55 Ks.

Rounding out the road trip, Minot State plays at Northern State (9-21, 1-7) on Tuesday. The Wolves are led by Liv Richardson who is hitting .402 with five home runs and 23 RBIs, while Meghan Anderson has been their top pitcher with a 6-9 record, a 4.21 ERA and 145 Ks.

While a long road trip that will continue to test the Beavers, Coach Wagner believes his team is ready to rise to the challenge as they focus on their team philosophy.

"We talk a lot about improving one percent each day - working hard to live lives of constant ascension," he said. "If we continue to push to help each other get better each practice, each game, that in turn will lead to consistency in each and every facet of the game. We do not want to ride a roller coaster - emotionally and in terms of performance. If we bring the same, consistent lunch-pail mentality to every practice and game, we will continue to ascend."