MINOT, N.D. – After a successful first weekend at the Scheels Complex for Minot State softball, including a sweep of conference-leading Concordia St. Paul and split with Winona, they are back in full force with a busy week of games ahead.

The Beavers (18-12, 13-5 NSIC) have seven games in the next five days, with the first three on the road and the last four at home. Starting things off in Grand Forks, the Beavers will compete in a rare D1 non-conference game against the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks (8-36, 2-7 Summit). First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m. On the next day, the Beavers travel to Moorhead, MN for a doubleheader with the Minnesota State University-Moorhead Dragons (24-16, 11-7 NSIC). Originally scheduled for April 16, the games were pushed back to Thursday with a time change, which now will begin at 1:00 p.m.

Following their three-game roadie, Minot State is back at the Scheels Complex on South Hill for Senior Weekend. Conference play continues as the Beavers have a chance to climb up the NSIC standings with opportunities against Minnesota Crookston (11-31, 4-14 NSIC) and Bemidji State (10-31, 4-14 NSIC). First pitch against the Golden Eagles is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, with the same start time against the BSU Beavers on Sunday.

The Beavers will be honoring their eight Seniors during the Bemidji series. Gabi Dawyduk, Courtney Chatburn, Kilee Fehd, Izzy Penner, Lexi Barduson, Brooklyn Morrison, Taryn Bennett, and Lauryn DeGuzman will be recognized for their time and dedication to the Beaver softball program.

Kicking off the midweek matchup in Grand Forks, it will be the first time ever that the Beavers and Fighting Hawks go head-to-head. North Dakota has been a regular on the struggle bus this season. They are coming off a 10-3 loss to University of St. Thomas back on April 14.

Even in the dark times this season, UND has some notable bright spots. Angie Dumlao is flying high as the Hawks leader with a .322 batting average. Jackie Albrecht (2-11) has led the way in the circle with a solid 3.50 ERA amongst three pitchers with at least 75 innings pitched.

From one flying figure to another, the MSU-Moorhead Dragons find themselves flirting in the upper half of the conference standings. A big helping came from their sweep of Southwest Minnesota State last weekend, as their previous games resulted in 6-3 and 3-2 victories over the Mustangs. One individual who has made an impact for the Dragons this season is Chloe Makinney. She is tearing it up with a .376 batting average to lead the team. From the pitching staff, Azalya Lopez (13-5) has put up impressive numbers including a 2.47 ERA with the most innings pitched (102.0) on the Dragons.

Minot State has controlled the all-time series against Moorhead, with 17 wins in 25 games played. Although, the Dragons have the upper hand in recent success after they defeated the Beavers 2-0 in the MSU Bubble in the early stretch of the season on February 4.

The next two matchups are going to be critical if the Beaves want to maintain good footing in the conference standings. In the first set of games at South Hill this upcoming weekend, Minot State welcomes Minnesota Crookston, who sits tied with the third-worst conference record. Their previous series was all kinds of distress, as they dropped both games of a twin bill to Augustana 22-1 and 11-3. Whitnee Curry has been the Golden Eagles gold standard at the plate, who has captured a .339 batting average. From the circle, Thayda Houser (5-10) is steady with a 3.84 ERA.

Minot State has outright dominated the all-time series against Minnesota Crookston, as they have won 35 out of 41 games. Although, the Eagles got the best of the Beavers in a 7-4 contest dating back to April 19, 2023.

Tied with Crookston in the conference also happens to be Minot State's next opponent, which is the Bemidji State Beavers. Despite yet another season of setbacks, Bemidji was able to pick up a split with Wayne State last weekend, winning 2-0 and dropping a 9-1 decision last Sunday. Making her presence felt at the plate has been Alexa Christenson, as her .333 batting average is tops on Bemidji. Backing up the Beavers from a defensive standpoint, Stella Dolan (7-14) leads the charge in the circle with a 4.07 ERA in a rotation with two other pitchers.

As for the Beavers of Minot State, they have won several games involving the "Battle of the Beavers," as they carry 25 wins in 29 total contests against Bemidji. Minot also won the previous match that got them to 25 with a 3-2 win back on May 3, 2023.

Minot State's trio of Gabi Dawyduk (2.22 ERA, 7-5), Reegan Floyd (2.31 ERA, 6-5), and Brooklyn Morrison with a .372 batting average continues to lead the charge for the Beavers as they command a top five spot in the NSIC.

Starting this weekend, the Beavers will feature their final home games of the season. If you are in the area, come catch Gabi, Courtney, Kilee, Izzy, Lexi, Brooklyn, Taryn, and Lauryn as they dawn the Beaver jersey one last time at the Scheels Complex on South Hill.

The Beavers are going to have their hands full with plenty of action to be had this week. After they turn in their results for these next seven games, Minot State will finish the regular season on the road with twin bills against Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud on the weekend of April 27-28.