MINOT, N.D. – It's back into the Bubble for the Beavers who found the home environment a friendly atmosphere two weekends ago.

Sweeping four games in their inaugural action of the season in the air-supported dome, the Minot State softball team now hosts Carroll College (Mont.) once again, along with Bemidji State, Montana State-Billings, and Providence (Mont.) for the MSU Bubble Invitational 2 this weekend.

Play begins with a Battle of the Beavers – non-conference style – as Minot State hosts NSIC rival Bemidji State on Friday, Feb. 17, at 5 p.m.

Action resumes at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, with Minot State hosting Montana State-Billings then Providence at 10:30 a.m., then three more games the rest of the day between the tournament's other four teams.

Sunday, play begins at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. with two more non-Minot State games before the host Beavers closes out the weekend against Carroll College at 2 p.m.

The weekend will be the season-opener for the Providence Argonauts, who went 6-34 last season, and the first action for the Carroll Saints since they visited Minot for Bubble Invite part one where they went 2-2, including an 8-7 setback in 8 innings to the host Beavers.

As for Montana State-Billings, they head to Minot with a 2-5 record on the season, and Bemidji State rolls into town with a 1-3 mark already in 2023.

As for the host Beavers (5-4 overall), they went 1-4 in Texas, getting their first taste of outside action, a weekend that included a third walk-off win already this season for the "Battlin' Beavers."

Balance has been key for Minot State, both offensively and in the circle, with the Beavers hitting .278 as a team with three home runs and 18 stolen bases this winter, and all three Minot State pitchers earning at least one win already this season.

Paige Kellogg leads five .300-plus hitters for Minot State with a .385 average, has one of the team's home runs, and 4 RBIs, while Brooklyn Morrison is hitting .381 with a homer and 6 RBIs, Gabi Dawyduk is hitting .320 with 3 RBIs, Leo Watson is batting .308 with the third home run and 8 RBIs, and Abbey Kelley is hitting .300 with 8 RBIs, as well.

In the circle, freshman Calley Olson is 2-1 in her debut season with 21 strikeouts and a 4.04 ERA, while sophomore Reegan Floyd is 2-2 with 17 Ks and a 5.53 ERA, and freshman Kierra Fournier is 1-1 with 8 strikeouts and a 7.00 ERA.