MINOT, N.D. – After nearly a month off, the Minot State softball team returns to the diamond this weekend and opens NSIC action on the road playing Sioux Falls on Friday in Iowa and at Wayne State on Saturday.
The games were moved up a day and the doubleheader against the Cougars moved to Dordt University because of inclement weather.
First pitch for Friday's doubleheader in Sioux Center, Iowa is scheduled for 6 p.m., then the Beavers (5-7 overall) play another twinbill at Wayne State starting at noon on Saturday.
Minot State heads into the weekend looking to snap a six-game skid but has had plenty of time to fine tune its game, which has been led by a strong pitching staff featuring four starters each with a win and a 3.50 team ERA.
Kierra Fournier leads the way with a 2-1 record and
Gabi Dawyduk leads the team with her 1.67 ERA.
Offensively,
Abby Lohse leads the team in averaging hitting .371 with a team-high two home runs, along with 7 RBIs, while
Taryn Bennett is hitting .323 with a home run and a Beaver-best 11 RBIs.
Friday Minot State takes on a Cougars team with a 9-12 record that has one win in March and has lost to similar foes in Pittsburg State and Emporia State this season. The Cougars also have six games against NSIC foes in non-conference play with a 2-4 record that includes two wins over Bemidji State.
Freshman infielder Riley Schwissow leads the team in every offensive category, hitting .391 with 5 homers, 20 RBIs, and 9 stolen bases, while senior infielder Hannah Fry is hitting .348 with 13 RBIs.
Sophomore pitcher Maddi Duncan has been the go-to pitcher with more than half of the team's innings pitched at 70 2-3 innings. She has a 2.04 ERA and an 8-3 record on a team with a 4.60 ERA.
Saturday, the Beavers battle a Wayne State team with a 4-20 record, but the Wildcats have started to find their grove as they've won 2 of their last 3.
Against similar foes, Wayne State is 0-4 with a loss each to Washburn, Central Missouri, and two to Emporia State.
Wayne State is hitting just .235 and averaging 2.58 runs per game. Freshman infielder Lillie Timm and freshman catcher Haylee Weber lead the way as Timm is hitting .333 and Weber is hitting .296 with 10 RBIs.
Junior pitcher Grace Lucka leads the pitching staff with a 3-3 record and a 5.12 ERA as the Wildcats have a team ERA of 6.14.
