OMAHA, Neb. –– Omaha Softball, three time-defending Summit League champions, welcomes North Dakota State to Connie Claussen Field Friday as the Mavericks (17-7) begin a seven-game homestand. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, March 22. The Summit League has introduced a new format for conference series which sees teams play three games in as many days as opposed to a doubleheader and single game.

The first 250 fans at Friday's home opener will receive a replica 2025 Summit League championship ring. Prior to Friday's game, the program will unveil three banners on the outfield wall commemorating the Summit League regular-season and tournaments championship and third straight NCAA tournament berth.

Omaha has been ranked in each of the first six D1Softball.com Mid-Major rankings this season, including at the No. 1 spot, the highest ranking in program history. After starting off the season 11-0, the best start in DI program history and third best in all-time program history (2002 team began 20-0), Omaha received votes in the NFCA Coaches Poll for the sixth time in DI program history.

12 of the 22 Mavericks on this year's roster. Of the 12, eight hail from the Omaha Metro. 17 hail from the Midwest.

Sammy Schmidt was named the Kwik Star Summit League Peak Performer of the Week, after going 6-for-10 in a 3-1 weekend for the Mavericks as Omaha swept Utah Tech and split with BYU, including a five-inning no-hitter over the Cougars. The Hastings, Neb. native leads Omaha in batting average (.417) and is fourth in total bases (45). Schmidt recorded at least two runs scored in three of her four outings in St. George, Utah, totaling nine RBI over four games with a pair of homers.

Omaha Softball has thrown two no-hitters or perfect games this season, the program's sixth and seventh since 2000. Groff, in her second season with the Mavericks, has been part of four of those milestone games. Omaha most recently logged a five-inning no-hitter over BYU on March 13.

Omaha leads the all-time 55-31 dating to May 12, 1978. Omaha has won seven straight against the Bison dating to the 2023 Summit League tournament in Brookings, S.D. Omaha is 13-10 against the Bison heading into the weekend at home. The Mavericks are 5-1 against the Bison at Connie Claussen Field.

Omaha welcomes crosstown rival Creighton to Aksarben on Wednesday, March 25 at 6 p.m. CT on the Summit League Network.

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