WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State opens a four-game Lone Star Conference North Division set with Cameron Tuesday afternoon at Mustangs Park.

The Mustangs, who have won 10 of their last 12 games despite dropping games to East Central (Okla.) and Incarnate Word last week, nurse a one-game lead over Central Oklahoma in the division race.

Led by senior Katie Petersen, the Mustangs boast the top pitching staff in the LSC.

Petersen (17-2, 1.15 ERA) tops the conference in wins, strikeouts and ERA, while juniors Brittney Tanner (11-2, 1.92 ERA) and Kristina Gutierrez (6-2, 3.22 ERA) give the Mustangs two more top-notch options in the circle.

Freshman Elena Bennett (.415 batting average) and sophomore Nicki Duff (.378) give the Mustangs threats at the top of the order as MSU boasts nine hitters with better than a .300 batting averages while five different Mustangs have driven in at least 20 runs led by sophomore third baseman Mallory Mooney at 28 RBIs.

Cameron (15-17, 2-4) snapped a three-game skid with a 17-6 shellacking of Northeastern State last Thursday in Lawton. The win prevented a sweep by the visiting RiverHawks.

The Aggies are led by third baseman Drew Wright who is second in the LSC with a .444 batting average. The freshman paces Cameron with 52 hits including 12 doubles and five home runs.

Freshman outfielder Leslie Martini is CU's other top power threat hitting .365 with 12 doubles, nine homers and a team-leading 26 RBIs.

LSC North Division Preseason Pitcher of the year Carrie Harvey leads the Aggies in the circle, but has struggled throughout much of her sophomore campaign.

The Burkburnett product is 9-8 with a 3.41 ERA as she has allowed 105 hits including 18 home runs in 113 innings of work. Harvey rates third in the LSC with 113 strikeouts.

First pitch for Tuesday's twin bill at Mustangs Park is set for 2 p.m.

Mustangs Notables

• Midwestern State is off to its best start in school history through 40 games at 34-6.
• Senior pitcher Katie Petersen moved three wins closer to the Lone Star Conference career wins lead last week. She needs 10 more to match former Brittany Willson (TWU/MSU, 2001-06) and Christina Cearley (SOSU, 2003-06) with 93 wins.
• Petersen needs 42 strikeouts to pass former Texas A&M-Kingsville ace Maria Gutierrez for the LSC strikeout lead. Gutierrez, the older sister of current teammate Kristina, had 823 from 1999-02 while playing for coach Brady Tigert.
• Sophomore outfielder Nicki Duff drilled her team-leading fourth triple of the season to right field to lead of Game 2 Saturday afternoon at East Central. It was her ninth career three-bagger which is the third most in program history trailing only Allison Tidwell (12 from 2004-06) and Maranda Bishop (11 from 2007-09).
• Senior catcher Lauren Craig connected on her third home run of the season Wednesday against East Central. She moved into sixth place on MSU career homer list with 11.
• Redshirt freshman Courtney Bingham, who is currently riding an eight-game hitting streak, hit doubles in consecutive games Wednesday against East Central to match Maranda Bishop for the most doubles in a season by an MSU player with 17 two baggers.
• Shortstop Natalie Rodriguez needs two homers to match former standout catcher Rachael Jackson for the most homers for a true freshman in a single season at MSU. Jackson hit seven in Midwestern's inaugural season of 2004.