STEPHENVILLE - Tarleton will head to Denton Tuesday to play the rubber game of the regular season series against No. 10 Texas Woman's.

Tarleton and Texas Woman's split the first two meetings of this season last Tuesday in Stephenville when the TexAnns took game one 6-4 before the Pioneers won 5-4 in nine innings in the nightcap.

This matchup is a continuation of the second of the final four series of the season, which are slated against four of the top six teams in the Lone Star Conference.

Texas Woman's is one of five LSC teams in the first NCAA regional poll released last Wednesday. The Pioneers are currently No. 3 in the South Central Region while remaining TexAnn opponent, Incarnate Word, is No. 5.

AT A GLANCE

Records: Tarleton State TexAnns, 23-21 (11-12 LSC); Texas Woman's Pioneers, 40-11 (18-5 LSC)

Live Stats: Will be available online at TWUAthletics.com on the softball schedule.

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS

Game 1: Randi Fentress, TSU (12-14, 3.37 ERA) vs Brandie Lander, TWU (18-5, 2.00 ERA)

LAST TIME OUT

Tarleton scored seven runs over the final two innings to avoid being swept at hands of Angelo State last weekend. The TexAnns, trailing 3-0 in the sixth, put up a six-spot in the inning - capped off by a pinch-hit, two-run single by Hannah Hancock - before Bailee Mauldin blasted a game-sealing solo home run in the seventh to propel Tarleton to victory.

SERIES HISTORY

After splitting last week's doubleheader, Tarleton now leads the all-time series against the Pioneers 42-21. The TexAnns are 23-10 all-time against TWU in Denton and are 12-5 at Texas Woman's since 2004.

PICKING UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF

Tarleton and Texas Woman's split a doubleheader in Stephenville last Tuesday, with Tarleton winning the opener 6-4 before falling in the nightcap 5-4 in nine innings. 

GOING THROUGH THE GAUNTLET

The road to the postseason isn't exactly an easy one for the TexAnns but they aren't backing down from the challenge. Over the final four series of the regular season, Tarleton will play two nationally ranked teams, four regionally ranked teams and the reigning LSC Champions. They earned a pair of wins over the stretch run, starting with a win Tuesday against No. 15 Texas Woman's and in the final game against Angelo State Saturday. They have lost three of their last eight games by just a combined four runs.

PUNCHING THEIR TICKET
With a win in the series finale against Angelo State, Tarleton has secured their spot in the Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament for the 12th time in the school's 18-year softball history. The LSC Tournament is set to take place in Canyon with the first games of the tournament slated for Friday May 3.

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.

UP NEXT FOR TARLETON

Tarleton returns home for the regular season finale against Incarnate Word, beginning with a Friday night doubleheader at 5 p.m. and ending with a solo Saturday game at 12 p.m. where the TexAnns will recognize the team's seniors.