SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University softball team heads to Aberdeen, South Dakota, for the Minot State Dome Invite to take on Minnesota State University- Moorhead, Minot State University and the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The invite was moved to Aberdeen due to facility issues in Minot.

Minnesota State- Moorhead returns two key players in Lauren Meeker and Savanah Tweet. Meeker a first baseman tallied 335 putouts last season with only one error. She averaged a .997 fielding percentage. In 119 at-bats, Meeker tallied 17 RBI and a .361 slugging percentage in 46 games with 46 starts.

Savanah Tweet returns as a first baseman and catcher for the Dragons. Tweet averaged a .972 fielding percentage with 188 putouts with just six errors. She played and started in 42 games.

The Dragons have not played a game yet this season and have no returning pitchers. They finished last season 16-30 overall and 9-21 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

MSUM is picked to finish 15^th in the NSIC as picked by the coaches.

Minot State's season has started and have three key returning players in Ashley Hill, Tori Zimmerman and Jenn Spencer. Hill returns as a first baseman and currently leads the offense with a .444 batting average through five games. In 18 at-bats, Hill has tallied two home runs and six RBI. She also owns a 1.000 fielding percentage with 21 putouts.

Zimmerman returns as a catcher for the Beavers. Zimmerman owns a .353 batting average with 17 at bats and tallied two home runs with five RBI. The junior catcher also has a 1.000 fielding percentage with 16 putouts with two assists.

The Beavers also return pitcher Jenn Spencer. Spencer has had four appearances with three starts through five games this season. In 17.2 innings pitched, she has tallied eight strikeouts and two complete games. Spencer owns a 1-2 record.

Minot State owns a 1-4 record overall and were picked to finish 14^th in the NSIC.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston returns two players and have a new freshman fielder. Freshman Rocky Bjorge starts as a first or third basemen for the Golden Eagles. In her opening weekend, Bjorge tallied 26 putouts and an assist to record a 1.000 fielding percentage. Bjorge played in all four games making three starts.

Maggie Morales returns as an outfielder for the Golden Eagles. Morales leads the offense with a .429 batting average in three games and starts. In seven at-bats, the sophomore has tallied three doubles.

Senior Bailey Braatz returns as a pitcher for the University of Minnesota, Crookston. Braatz has made two appearances with two starts and owns a 3.07 era through five games. Braatz pitched 13.2 innings and tallied seven strikeouts. She earned the first win for the Golden Eagles and owns a 1-1 record.

The Golden Eagles are 1-3 overall and 1-0 in the NSIC. They were picked to finish 16^th in the conference this season.

The Yellow Jackets started the season at 0-4 after falling at St. Cloud State. Freshman Kindall Bethke leads the team in batting average at .500. In 12 at-bats, Bethke tallied a RBI and a double. She played in all four games at St. Cloud making four starts.

Senior Pamela Sakuma made four starts in all four games BHSU has played thus far. She has recorded 30 putouts and an assist to record a 1.000 fielding percentage.

Senior Stefanie Witman made two appearances and starts as pitcher. She pitched 12.0 innings tallying six strikeouts. She owns a 3.75 era, one complete game and a 0-2 record thus far on the season. Joining Witman, Alex Wiley pitched 12.0 innings and tallied five strikeouts at St. Cloud State. Wiley owns a 6.75 era with a 0-2 record through four games.

Following the weekend, the Green and Gold enter the conference schedule starting with a doubleheader at Adams State on February 25 and 26. First pitch is slated for noon on Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday.