MINOT, N.D. – The Beavers have been rolling, scoring upsets and climbing the NSIC standings.
The Minot State softball team looks to continue that trend Tuesday as the Beavers (19-13 overall, 6-4 NSIC) close out what's proven to be a 16-game homestand hosting the Northern State Wolves on Tuesday, April 11, at 2 p.m. in the air-supported dome on the MSU campus.
The Beavers head into the mid-week doubleheader having won three straight and four of their last five, which includes a 4-3 comeback win over two-time defending NSIC Champion Augustana, as well as a 3-1 win over one of the preseason favorites in St. Cloud State back on April 2.
Key to the recent success: Teamwork.
Minot State pitchers
Reegan Floyd,
Kierra Fournier,
Calley Olson, and
Gabi Dawyduk each have had stellar efforts in the circle to give the Beavers a chance to top the Huskies, Vikings, and Wayne State over the past two weekends. That includes a 4-0 shutout by Dawyduk against the Wildcats, and a four-hit, 3-1 win by Floyd against the powerhouse offense of St. Cloud State.
Offensively, the Beavers have been led by
Leo Watson who is hitting 6-of-13 during that five-game stretch, while
Paige Kellogg is 5-of-12 for Minot State, which also has been clutch in run-scoring situation plating 17 runs compared to opponents' 11.
As for Northern State (9-21, 3-7), the Wolves come in with some momentum as well as they swept Southwest Minnesota State 4-2 and 2-1 on Saturday, snapping a run of 15 losses in the previous 16 games.
The Wolves come in with the lowest batting average in the NSIC at .245 and averaging just 3.2 runs per game. In the circle, Northern State is 12
th in the NSIC with a 4.81 ERA and opponents are batting .311 against the Wolves pitchers.
