Independent file photo SMSU’s Shelby Bloemendaal fires a pitch during their game against the University of Mary on April 26, 2021. SMSU will face Sioux Falls today.

MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State University softball team (8-15) open their NSIC schedule at home today, hosting a doubleheader against the University of Sioux Falls (12-9).

•The doubleheader is set to begin at 1 p.m.

Game coverage

•Live stats and video for both games will be available at SMSUmustangs.com.

Chasing history

•After a pair of hits against Minnesota State on Thursday, Bailey Johnson moved into sole possession of eighth place in program history with 197 career hits.

•Johnson is currently three hits away from moving into the top five, and 26 hits away from tying the program record, held by Erin Dickhausen.

•Johnson is extremely familiar with the career record books, where she is first in doubles, second in batting average and on base percentage, third in slugging percentage, fourth in runs scored, total bases, times hit by pitch, walks and sacrifice flies, and fifth in RBI’s.

•She also ranks second among active players in Division II in career doubles, and is 25th in career hits.

Mustang statistics

•The Mustangs find themselves in the top 75 in many statistical categories in the nation.

•One of the biggest strengths of the team has been their defense, and it shows as SMSU ranks 32nd in double plays and in double plays per game.

•Speaking of doubles, the Mustang offense has also delivered the 62nd most doubles per game.

•SMSU has also executed the little things, ranking 32nd, and first in the NSIC, in sacrifice bunts.

•The Mustangs also find multiple players in the individual leaderboards.

•Abby Russell has had a tremendous start to her freshman campaign, and it reflects in the statistics, as she ranks 30thin the country in doubles per game and 31st in doubles, both good for first in the conference.

•Makenna Waldow ranks 33rd in the country, and second in the NSIC, in sacrifice bunts per game, with Lileya Kebos ranking 53rd.

•Shelby Bloemendaal has been a steady presence in the circle for the Mustangs, and is 86th in the nation in complete games.

Youth movement

•The Mustangs have seen the debut of six freshmen and two transfers in non-conference play.

•Freshman Abby Russell has played all 23 games at shortstop, hitting .338 (26 for 77) with two home runs, 10 doubles, 13 runs scored, a team-high 18 RBIs, and an OPS of .949, all while leading the team with four stolen bases.

•Sophomore transfer Paige Shwaluk has also played in all 23 games, going .317 (20 for 63) with a team-high 14 runs scored with three stolen bases.

•Emily Tatur has started each game in centerfield, batting .264 (19 for 72) with 10 runs scored and three multi-hit games.

•Karlie Miller has started eight games in the circle for SMSU, notching a 7.14 ERA and 2-7 record in 50 innings while also hitting 4 for 9 at the plate with a double and a triple.

About Sioux Falls

•Sioux Falls has opened the season 12-9, and are 5-5 against common opponents.

•The Cougars were picked to finish ninth in the NSIC.

•MSU is led offensively by Kylie Madrid, whose .414 average, 1.210 OPS, 29 hits and five doubles all lead the team, while her five home runs and 16 RBIs rank second.

•Hanna Cress has been the leader in the circle for USF, holding a 2.03 ERA in 65 1/3 innings, going 6-5 with 50 strikeouts and a 1.24 WHIP.

Series history

•SMSU is 9-10 all-time against Sioux Falls in a series that started in 2013.

•The Mustangs are 4-2 at home against the Cougars and are currently on a three-game home winning streak in the series.

•SMSU has won four of the last five meetings, and defeated USF 8-4 in eight innings during non-conference action in St. Cloud on Feb. 11 earlier this season.

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications