ON DECK
The Southwest Minnesota State softball team (2-3) begins its seven-day trip to Florida where the Mustangs will face 10 different opponents. SMSU will start games on March 5 with an exhibition doubleheader against Polk State starting at 12 p.m. SMSU will face nine other teams through the rest of the week and will return to Marshall on March 12.

SCHEDULE (all times are CST)
March 6 Lock Haven, 12 p.m.
Northwood (MI), 2 p.m.
March 7 Post University, 12 p.m.
California University (PA), 2 p.m.
March 9 Saint Leo (DH), 4 / 6 p.m.
March 10 Saginaw Valley State (MI), 4 p.m.
Edinboro University (PA), 6 p.m.
March 11 Walsh University (Ohio), 12 p.m.
Assumption College (MA), 2 p.m.

MEDIA COVERAGE
Live statistics for all 12 games during the Florida trip can be found HERE or visiting the softball schedule page, while updates can also be found by following @smsusoftball on Twitter.

SERIES HISTORY
SMSU is 5-5 against Lock Haven ... SMSU is 2-4 against Northwood ... SMSU has never faced Post University ... SMSU is 2-4 against California University (PA) ... SMSU is 1-1 versus Saint Leo ... SMSU is 4-2 against Saginaw Valley ... SMSU has never played Edinboro University (PA) ... SMSU has never faced Walsh University (Ohio) ... SMSU is 1-0 against Assumption College (MA).

HEAD COACH
Jamie Dunn is in her third season as head coach at Southwest Minnesota State University and has compiled a 44-62-1, 23-28-1 in the NSIC. Prior to SMSU, Dunn spent the 2013 season as assistant coach at NCAA Division II Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colo., and three seasons as head coach at Fruita Monument High School.

ABOUT THE MUSTANGS
Southwest Minnesota State opened the season with a 2-3 record at the NSIC/MIAA Crossover in St. Cloud, Minn., Feb. 18-20. SMSU defeated Fort Hays State 2-1, lost to Nebraska-Kearney 7-5, lost to Emporia State 8-7, defeated Central Missouri 9-7 and lost to Missouri Western State 5-0.

ROSTER OVERVIEW
Southwest Minnesota State has 17 players on the 2016 roster, including two seniors, five juniors, three sophomores and seven freshmen.

HISTORY LESSON
Southwest Minnesota State begins its 45th season of softball in 2015. SMSU began play in the 1972 season, five years after the school opened its doors. SMSU owns an all-time record of 871-788. The Mustangs joined the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) in 1992 and are 325-187 in conference games.

MUSTANGS AT HOME
Southwest Minnesota State is 267-170-1 since 1973 when playing in Marshall. The Mustangs have compiled a .611 winning percentage in 41 years of playing games at home. SMSU's first year of play was 1972, but SMSU did not play a game at home during its inaugural season.

SMSU PICKED 10th IN NSIC POLL
Southwest Minnesota State University was picked to finish 10th in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Winona State was chosen as the preseason favorite earning 219 points, including nine first-place votes. SMSU senior outfielder Jazmyne Neely and junior pitcher Alex O'Connor were named "Players to Watch" in the conference this season.

MORE MUSTANG STATS
For career statistics and game-highs for each Mustang player go to smsumustangs.com/softballcareer.

IN THE HOLE
Following its spring trip, Southwest Minnesota State will play a doubleheader at Dakota Wesleyan on March 16. SMSU will then open NSIC play on March 22 with a doubleheader at Sioux Falls.