STEPHENVILLE - Two of the conference's top offenses go head-to-head this weekend as top-ranked Tarleton (28-10, 13-2) heads to Wichita Falls for a three-game set against Midwestern State (15-20, 5-10).

Midwestern enters the contest as the LSC's third hitting team with a .323 team batting average, while Tarleton comes in at .290 but leads the conference in home runs with 53.

The difference in the teams lies in the pitching circle, where Midwestern has struggled this season with a 4.65 team ERA and a league-low 81 strikeouts while Tarleton is second with a 2.55 ERA and league-leading 146 strikeouts.

The Mustangs boast the third-leading hitter in the conference - Courtney Bingham, who leads the team with a .445 average - in addition to four .300-plus hitters, including Kim Jerrick (.354 avg. / 5 hr / 22 rbi).

Tarleton will counter with a powerful attack of Arianna Rodriguez, Katie Welborn and Samantha Swanda.

Rodriguez leads the LSC in total bases (101) and home runs (14) while also in the LSC's top five are Welborn - in hits (49), home runs (12) and total bases (95) - and Swanda - in RBIs (37), doubles (12), home runs (12) and total bases (93).

Rodriguez and Swanda also enter this weekend's affair with a chance to rewrite the Tarleton record books. Rodriguez, a junior, is three home runs away from passing Alicia Petersma (1999-2002) as the all-time home run leader while Swanda is two away from passing Brittnee Rice for the 2-year career home run leader.

Another key match-up in the series will be the running ability of MSU's Elena Bennett, who is third in LSC with 24 stolen bases on 25 attempts, and the run-stopping ability of Tarleton catcher Amber Sotelo.

Sotelo has gunned down 58 percent of attempted baserunners (17 of 31 potential base stealers this season).

Tarleton will play a single game Friday at 3 p.m. before wrapping up the series with a noon doubleheader Saturday.