GAME NOTES

FIRST PITCH
The Southwest Minnesota State softball team is set to begin the 2011 season this weekend traveling to Denver, Colo. to compete in the Denver Crossover. The Mustangs will open the season on Friday, Feb. 18 with a double header against No. 15 Metro State (Colo.) (1-1) beginning at 12 p.m. MST. SMSU will then play Regis University (3-2) in a double header at 12 p.m. MST on Saturday before ending the trip with a double header against Colorado School of Mines (1-7) at 11 a.m. MST on Sunday.

SERIES NOTES
A lot of firsts await the Mustangs in Denver, Colo. Southwest Minnesota State will play Metro State (Colo.) for the first time in school history when the two teams meet on Feb. 18. SMSU and Colorado School of Mines have also never played each other in a game in the schools history. The Mustangs have played one game against Regis (Colo.) and are 0-1 against the Rangers. Regis defeated the Mustangs 8-1 in SMSU's 2009 season opener in the Colorado Springs Tournament.