SMSU Preview

• The University of Sioux Falls Softball Team (12-9) begin NSIC play starting tomorrow (March 28) when they head to Marshall, MN to face off against SMSU in a double header. 
• USF will open play on Monday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to kick off the conference schedule.
• SMSU edged USF earlier in the season (Feb.11) in non-conference play by a score of 8-4 at the St. Cloud Tournament.
• The all-time series stands at 10 wins and 9 losses for the Cougars when facing SMSU.

Game Coverage

• Live video for both games will be available on the NSIC Network to watch and via live stats both HERE and the GameChanger app. Follow on USF Softball social media for updates through the season!
 
USF Season

 • During The Spring Games tournament in Florida, USF hit an impressive .342 as a team, averaging just over eight runs a game, and from the circle had limited opponents to 29 runs and a combined 2.92 ERA between Hanna Cress, Kait Van Der Zwaag, Bailee Lampman, and Kennedy Thomas.
• On the season, USF has 38 extra base hits, 15 home runs (led by Kait Van Der Zwaag with six and Kylie Madrid with five) for the Cougars. Resulting in 93 RBI and 111 total runs scored.
• USF has seven individuals hitting over .300 on the season through 21 games.
• Senior Kylie Madrid is leading the Cougars with 72 at-bats, resulting in 11 extra base hits, .417 average, .481 on-base percentage, .722 slugging %, and 30 hits on the season. Madrid was named NSIC player of the week for the first time in her career (March 7). 
• From the circle, Hanna Cress leads the Cougars with six victories, an impressive 2.42 ERA, and 51 K's on the season through 15 appearances (69.1 innings pitched).
 
Piv's Perspective

"The start of the conference season is always exciting as it is the second of the three parts that we break our big spring season into. During the non-conference portion of our season our team has gelled and grown in many ways - on and off the field - developing trust and working daily to be the best person, teammate, and player we can be. We had a pretty successful preseason, learning from our wins and losses, and feel that it will provide us with many valuable experiences to use during the NSIC regular season. 
"We know the NSIC will again be challenging this season and have the most respect for all the teams across the best league in the country. I know our kids are excited and ready for the challenge - we can't wait to get this 30-game stretch going tomorrow!", said Head Coach Shannon Pivovar.