MINOT, N.D. – With sunny, spring weather in the forecast, it's the perfect time for some intense softball, and the Beavers are set to put on a show for the local fans.
Minot State (15-11 overall, 10-4 NSIC) hosts NSIC-leading Concordia, St. Paul (32-6, 14-0) on Saturday in a league doubleheader at the SCHEELS Complex at South Hill, then battles Winona State (24-14, 8-4) on Sunday in another NSIC twinbill.
Action starts at 11 a.m. both days.
Saturday, Minot State Athletics will have free doughnuts and coffee on hand for fans to enjoy while they watch the action.
Action that is sure to be entertaining as the Beavers hold the all-time series lead against the Golden Bears, 13-8, but Concordia, St. Paul has won 5 of the last 6 meetings. Last spring, the teams split their doubleheader with the Beavers winning 9-1 in 6 innings and the Golden Bears winning 5-3.
Both teams are playing well this season and battling for the NSIC lead, currently held by Concordia, St. Paul, which has won 14 in-a-row of late.
The Beavers are coming in after sweeping Northern State on the road Wednesday, so both teams have momentum.
Key this spring for the Golden Bears has been offense as they hold a commanding lead in that category in the NSIC with league-leading stats of a .357 team batting average, 269 runs scored, and an average of 7.07 runs per game.
Freshman infielder Alexis Monty leads the way with an amazing NSIC-best .523 batting average in 38 games with 1 home run and 29 RBIs, while junior catcher Danni Sharum has been the biggest bopper in a potent lineup hitting .377 with team-bests of 5 home runs and 38 RBIs.
That kind of offensive output makes it easy on the Golden Bear pitching staff which boasts a 3.42 ERA and is led by junior lefthander Eric McCullough, who is leads the NSIC in wins with a 19-2 record and a 3.03 ERA.
As for the Beavers, teamwork continues to be the key to success with pitchers
Gabi Dawyduk (2.02 ERA, 5-5) and
Reegan Floyd (2.25 ERA, 5-4) both in the Top 9 in the NSIC in pitching, while
Brooklyn Morrison leads the offense with a .369 batting average, best among the team's regular starters as the Beavers are hitting .284 as a team and average 4.57 runs per game.
Sunday, the Beavers host a Warriors team which also is swinging hot bats as the Warriors are third in the NSIC with a .334 batting average and who score 5.84 runs per game.
But Winona State also is tough in the circle with a fourth-best ERA of 2.68.
Senior infielder Abbie Hlas is third in the NSIC with a .422 batting average with 1 home run and 21 RBIs, while senior outfielder Sam Keller is fifth in the league hitting .404 with 5 homers and 30 RBIs, providing a powerful one-two punch for the Warriors.
Sophomore Izzy Howe leads the way in the circle for the Warriors with a 1.76 ERA, fourth best in the NSIC, a 10-4 overall record, and 105 strikeouts in 95 2/3 innings.
Last spring, the Warriors and Beavers split their doubleheader with Minot State winning the day's finale, 5-3, snapping a five-game Winona State win streak head-to-head.
