BRANSON, Mo. – The Minot State softball team heads back outdoors after hosting its MSU Bubble Invitational 2 this past weekend, ready for the Drury Branson Bash.

Action begins Friday for the Beavers (8-5 overall), who take on Lincoln (Mo.) at noon, then the host school Drury at 2 p m.

Minot State then plays Maryville (Mo.) at noon on Saturday before the Beavers wrap up the weekend Sunday playing Maryville a second time, at 10 a.m., then Southwest Baptist at noon.

The Beavers head to Missouri riding the momentum of two 8-run mercy-rule wins, an 8-0 victory over Providence, and a 14-2 win over Carroll highlighted by Kilee Fehd's grand slam for the final margin.

Paige Kellogg added a 2-run home run in the win over Providence as the Beavers offense has been clicking, led by Kellogg who is hitting .450 (9-for-20), while Gabi Dawyduk is hitting .389 (14-for-36) and Abbey Kelley is hitting .321 (9-for-28).

Dawyduk and Kelley also lead the team with 9 RBIs each, two of four players who've driven in nine as Abby Lohse (.300) and Fehd (.300) both have 9 RBIs, as well.

Leading the way in the circle is Reegan Floyd who went 2-0 with 17 strikeouts in 14 innings over the weekend, giving her a 4-2 overall mark and a team-best 4.03 ERA. She also has 34 Ks on the season in 33 innings pitched.

Freshman Calley Olson also is having a strong debut season as she is 3-1 with 27 Ks and a 4.16 ERA.

As for the Beavers foes, Drury is off to a 4-9 start to the season which includes two wins over NSIC foe Wayne State last weekend.

Southwest Baptist is off to a 1-7 start, Lincoln is 1-5 on the young season, and Maryville is 7-7, which includes winning 3 of its last 4.