DETROIT -- The Wayne State University softball team (6-7 overall) will conclude its eight-game spring break trip with two games each on Monday (March 16) and Tuesday (March 17).  The games are part of the Space Coast Games in Melbourne, Fla.

WSU won both games on Friday, before dropping both contests on Saturday.

The Warriors will face Minnesota State-Mankato (10-10 overall) at 10 AM on Monday, followed by a 12:15 PM match-up with Saint Michael's (1-3 overall).  On Tuesday, Wayne State will play Saint Anselm (5-7 overall) at 10 AM and Minot State (13-7 overall) at 2:30 PM.

SERIES HISTORY
WSU is 4-7 against the Mavericks of Minnesota State-Mankato.  All 11 meetings have been played in Florida (1992-2020).  MSUM has won the last three match-ups (2011, 2014 and 2020).

The Warriors are 5-0 all-time vs. the Purple Knights of Saint Michael's, with all five meetings taking place in Florida (2016 doubleheader, 2023-24-25).  Wayne State has out-scored SMC 37-5 in the five match-ups.

The Saint Anselm Hawks have won both prior contests (2-1 in 2022 and 5-2 in 2024).

WSU is 1-1 all-time vs. Minot State Beavers.  MSU won 5-1 in 2015, but the Warriors claimed a 3-1 victory in 2022.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Sophomore shortstop Hunter Near is hitting a team-best .400 (16-for-40) with six extra-base hits.  She leads the squad with eight walks, a .510 on-base percentage and a .700 slugging percentage.  Sophomore third baseman Kate DeWitt is batting .333 (13-for-39) with four doubles, while sophomore first baseman/pitcher Elly Koopman (Hudsonville, Mich.) has a team-high 10 RBI and is batting .359 (14-for-39).

Junior Sydney Long leads a quartet of WSU hurlers with a 4-4 record, a 2.98 ERA and 27 strikeouts.  Koopman (2-1, 5.32 ERA, 14 SO) and junior Kyra Shadduck (0-1, 3.10 ERA, 13 SO) both have thrown over 20 innings this spring.  Senior Hayden Batton has made three appearances in the circle for fifth-year head coach Nicole Tines.

SCOUTING THE MAVERICKS
Minnesota State-Mankato is 10-10, which includes six straight wins in Florida.

MSUM is led offensively by first baseman Gianna Lara, who is batting a team-high .510 (26-for-51) with a team-best seven doubles and 18 RBI.  Lara and designated player Hannah Tong each have five home runs.  Tong is hitting .452 (19-for-42) with 16 RBI.

Jorey Fry (5-5, 4.46 ERA, 27 SO) and Maddie Oetzmann (5-3, 5.02 ERA, 56 SO) have seen the most action in the circle for first-year head coach Kristle Wolcott, who replaced 41-year veteran Lori Meyer last May.

SCOUTING THE PURPLE KNIGHTS
Saint Michael's College began its 2026 campaign this past Friday falling 5-4 to D'Youville and 8-0 (6 inn.) to Saint Thomas Aquinas.  Yesterday, SMC lost to Purdue Northwest (9-2), before edging Felician (6-3).

The Purple Knights are led offensively by third baseman Shaylee Branon, who is batting .500 (5-for-10), and catcher Maddy Booksa (.308, 4-for-13).  Both Booksa and CJ Davidson have a team-high three RBI.

Davison pitches when not playing right field and is 1-1 with a 3.59 ERA and three strikeouts in 13.2 innings.  Maddy Eaton (0-2, 10.50 ERA, 3 SO) and Alexis Wilson (0-0, 1.62 ERA, 1 SO) have each seen time in the circle for eighth-year head coach Nick Goodreau.

SCOUTING THE HAWKS
Saint Anselm has played 12 games in Florida (March 1-14) with two more scheduled for Monday.

Brooke Tardugno is batting a team-best .389 (14-for-36) with six extra-base hits, along with a team-leading six stolen bases.  Caitlyn Duquette is hitting .333 (10-for-30), while Rose Reitmeyer has a team-high three home runs and nine RBI.

Kendra Lee (3-3, 3.14 ERA, 10 SO) and Mackenzie Bergen (1-1, 3.00 ERA, 5 SO) have both pitched over 20 innings for first-year head coach Alyssa Williamson.

SCOUTING THE BEAVERS
Minot State played its first 12 games in North Dakota, followed by the last eight in Florida.  MSU is 4-4 at the Space Coast Games heading into Monday's action.

Sara Van Wickler is batting a team-best .377 (23-for-61) with 12 extra-base hits and a team-leading 15 RBI, along with a team-high nine stolen bases.  Paige Kellogg is hitting .333 (20-for-6) with 11 RBI.

Six different hurlers have thrown for third-year head coach Sal Rodriguez.  Katie Newberry has a 5-1 record with a 0.95 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 44 innings, while Taylor Kruser is 2-3 with a 2.57 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 30 innings.

UP NEXT
After concluding play at the Space Coast Games on Tuesday, Wayne State will return to Michigan to begin conference play.  WSU visits Davenport on Saturday and Ferris State on Sunday.