STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Texan Nation will get their first chance to Tarleton State Softball this weekend when they host the Whataburger Invitational Friday-Sunday.
 
The tournament will consist of five teams, each from different conferences going head-to-head in the 12-game tournament schedule. The Texans will be in action in five of the matchups. They will face Lafayette twice while facing Buffalo, Idaho State and Mississippi Valley State once each.
 
"We are excited to be back at home this week," said head coach Mark Cumpian. "Last week we learned some valuable lessons that I think will help us as we head into the weekend. If we come out like I know we are capable of, it should be a big weekend for us. This is the third year for the Whataburger Invitational. Every year it has gotten better, and we are excited to host four new teams this year."
 
The last two years the Texans have won the Whataburger Invitational, going a perfect 10-0.
 
The Texans will get their five-game homestand started on Friday at 2 p.m. when they host Lafayette the first of two times during the tournament. This will mark the first ever meeting between the two teams.
 
Tarleton State will play their first home game under the lights Friday night when they host undefeated Idaho State at 6:30 p.m. This will also be a new opponent for the Texans as the two teams have never met.
 
After two games on Friday, the Purple and White will turn around for one on Saturday with the first coming at 1:15 p.m. The Texans will host the Leopards from Lafayette for the second and final time this season.
 
Sunday morning will bring the final two games for the Texans. The Texans and Bulls will face off at 11:15 a.m. The two teams have met just once before with Buffalo edging out the 3-2 victory on Feb. 25, 2022. The game was a part of the Lobo Classic hosted by New Mexico.
 
The Texans will close out the 2024 Whataburger Invitational hosting the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devilettes. This will once again mark a team the Texans have never faced.
 
The last time the Texans were in action they went 2-3 at the McNeese State Tournament. The season started off on a high note with the Texans winning their first two games of the season over Tennessee State and Lamar. They then lost three straight, one to Lamar and two to McNeese State.
 
Last season McNeese State was one out away from a Super-Regional appearance but fell just short giving up seven runs in the top of the seventh to No. 7 Washington. The Cowgirls fell behind 7-6 going into the bottom of the seventh and failed to get any more runs across ending their season at 47-16.
 
Live Stats will be available for the entire tournament as well as streaming. All games against host Tarleton State will be streamed live on ESPN+ with all others airing on WAC International.
 
Tournament passes start at just $30 and can be purchased here.