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STEPHENVILLE - Tarleton returns home this weekend for a crucial three-game series against rival No. 22 Midwestern State, beginning with a Friday night doubleheader at 5 p.m.
The TexAnns currently have a one game lead over the Mustangs for fourth place in the Lone Star Conference standings. MSU is in a tie for fifth place with Incarnate Word, who hosts No. 2 West Texas A&M this weekend.
This matchup is the first of the final four series of the season, which are slated against four of the top six teams in the Lone Star Conference. MSU and Texas Woman's are both currently ranked in the nation while Angelo State was ranked in the top 25 as recently as last week and Incarnate Word is the reigning LSC Tournament Champions.
Tarleton is ahead of Midwestern State and Incarnate Word in the standings.
AT A GLANCE
Records: Tarleton State TexAnns, 21-15 (9-6 LSC); Midwestern State Mustangs, 31-12 (8-7 LSC)
Live Stats: Will be available online at TarletonSports.com or on your mobile device at www.sidearmstats.com/tarleton/softball/mobile.aspx.
Radio: Friday night's doubleheader will be broadcasted live on 90.5 FM KTRL in Stephenville or online at www.tarleton.edu/ktrl/sports.html.
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
Game 1: Randi Fentress, TSU (12-10, 2.85 ERA) vs Laci Belovsky, MSU (19-7, 3.13 ERA)
Game 2: Brenna Hennan, TSU (9-4, 3.41 ERA) vs Katherine Batey, MSU (12-5, 5-47 ERA)
Game 3: Randi Fentress, TSU (12-10, 2.85 ERA) vs Laci Belovsky, MSU (19-7, 3.13 ERA)
HOT DOGS, GET YOUR HOT DOGS
Tarleton is planning a hot dog cookout for the Saturday afternoon game against Midwestern State. If weather is permitting, the hot dogs will be free throughout the contest which is slated to begin at 12 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
Tarleton won its fourth straight conference series on the road at Eastern New Mexico. The TexAnns split the series-opening doubleheader before taking the rubber game 6-0 behind a near no-hitter by starter Randi Fentress. The junior pitcher flirted with a no-no all the way to the final batter before a weak single through the left side ended the no-hit bid. Fentress polished off the complete game shutout with the next batter to seal the win for Tarleton.
SERIES HISTORY
Tarleton is just 6-12 all-time against the Mustangs since the first meeting back in 2004. The TexAnns have only won back-to-back games against MSU one time - sweeping a doubleheader April 6, 2007. Since 2008, Tarleton has won just one game in nine meetings.
WELCOME TO STEPHENVILLE
The TexAnns and Mustangs have played 18 times since their inaugural meeting in 2004, however, this is the first time the two teams will square off in Stephenville. Tarleton is 4-7 all-time at a neutral location and 2-5 all-time in Wichita Falls.
HENNAN FACES FORMER SQUAD
Brenna Hennan will square off against her former team for the first time since transferring to Tarleton last fall. The sophomore pitcher was 7-11 for the Mustangs as a freshman last year but has improved to 9-4 already this season with a 3.41 ERA. She is also 7-0 with a 1.29 ERA in Stephenville this season.
MAYSE EYEING TARLETON TRIPLES RECORD
Freshman outfielder Melody Mayse is currently leading the Lone Star Conference in triples (7) this season and she is currently on pace to top Tarleton's all-time season mark for three-baggers - 9 set by Kelli Gayle in 2007.
FOLLOWING UP A NEAR NO-HITTER
Randi Fentress carried a no-hitter 6 2/3 innings last weekend against Eastern New Mexico, marking the second time this season she has thrown a near no-no. The junior took a perfect game 5 2/3 against Oklahoma Christian back in February. She followed that no-no bid with a hard luck loss against No. 1 West Texas A&M - a game in which she went the distance allowing five runs on eight hits and seven strikeouts in a 5-4 loss.
UNDER THE LIGHTS
The TexAnns have found much success under the lights this season, improving to 9-2 in night games and 6-0 at home in night contests. Melody Mayse leads the way in night hitting with a .429 average while Arianna Rodriguez is hitting .382 under the lights.
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
Tarleton will turn around and host another ranked opponent for a Tuesday night doubleheader against No. 15 Texas Woman's at 4 p.m. at the TSU Softball Complex.
