LEADOFF
No. 24 Midwestern State and No. 12 Angelo State square off in a pivotal Lone Star Conference series this weekend at the ASU Softball Complex.
 
The teams open with two games on Friday night starting at 5 and 7:30 p.m. before closing the weekend with a doubleheader Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m.
 

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#24 Midwestern State vs. #12 Angelo State
Friday, March 28 | 5/7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 29 | 1/3 p.m.
ASU Softball Complex | San Angelo, Texas
Records: Midwestern State (23-9, 11-1 LSC); Angelo State (24-9, 9-3 LSC)
Live Video: AngeloSports.com  
Live Audio: None
Live Stats:   Game 1    |    Game 2    |  Game 3    |  Game 4 
 
SCOUTING THE RAMBELLES
Angelo State had its 10-game winning streak snapped when Cameron took the first two games of the four-game series last weekend in Lawton. The 'Belles bounced back to claim the final two games. They have now won 15 of their last 19 games. Sophomore first baseman Darian Dunn leads a potent offensive attack hitting .402 with nine doubles and 12 homers while driving in 62 runs in just 33 games for the Rambelles. Senior outfielder Morgan Spearman boasts a league leading .510 batting average with 11 doubles, a triple and six home runs while driving in 33 runs to go along with 15 stolen bases. Junior second baseman Micherie Koria hits .448 with six doubles and 22 stolen bases. Junior outfielder Rachel Moore (.368, 7 2B, 7 HR, 29 RBI) and freshman pitcher Kenedy Urbany (.350, 6 2B, 6 HR, 24 RBI) add to a deep offensive attack. Angelo State is second in the league with 47 homers while hitting an LSC team best .354 scoring 8.5 runs per game. Urbany (13-2, 3.48) is also ASU's top option in the circle, while seniors Mary Kate McKay (4-3, 3.48) and Sandra Serna (7-4, 3.50 ERA) have proven to be capable options.
 
ABOUT THE SERIES
Midwestern State and Angelo State meet for the 35th, 36th, 37th and 38th time on the diamond Friday and Saturday at the ASU Softball Complex. The Rambelles hold a 20-14 edge in the series which dates back to the 2004 season. Midwestern snapped a five-game skid to the 'Belles by taking the final game of a three-game set by a 6-0 count on March 13, 2013 at Mustangs Park. MSU is 3-6 against the 'Belles all time at the ASU Softball Complex.
 
THREE...DOT...THOUGHTS...
The Mustangs own a two-game lead over Angelo State and are three games ahead of West Texas A&M... MSU ran its season-best winning streak to nine games which is the Mustangs' longest winning streak since taking 10 straight from April 6-20 in 2013... Midwestern has won 13 of its last 14 after starting the season with a 10-8 mark... The Mustangs' pitching staff has posted a 1.99 ERA while limiting the opposition to a .241 batting average during the 14-game stretch to lower its ERA from 5.07 to 3.81... MSU leads the league with a 1.97 staff ERA in LSC play... MSU freshman Katlyn Holmes is 4-0 with a LSC-best 1.15 ERA during league play, while sophomore Kat Batey ranks third (3-1, 2.47 ERA) and freshman Erin Knox is fourth (4-0, 2.52 ERA) during LSC play... Holmes weaved her second shutout of the season allowing six hits with two strikeouts and a walk in a 1-0 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville in Game 1 Friday night... Knox has won her last nine decisions dating back to Feb. 3... Batey has struck out 10 and walked two in nine innings over her last three appearances with two wins and a save... The Mustangs posted back-to-back run-rule wins for the second time this season Sunday against Texas A&M-Kingsville... MSU has posted seven mercy wins this season... Midwestern State leads the league with 52 home runs this season and has struck for a long ball in 28 of 32 contests this season... Senior catcher Kim Jerrick ranks fourth in the LSC with a .418 batting average while junior shortstop Katy Vandewater is seventh (.405) and sophomore outfielder Katelyn Vinson is 10th (.391)... Vandewater is hitting .500 (15-fo-30) with two doubles, three homers and 15 RBIs during her current nine-game hitting streak... Vinson is hitting .550 (11-for-20) during her current seven-game hitting streak with two doubles, a triple, two homers and 10 RBIs... Jerrick connected for her third collegiate grand slam Sunday against Texas A&M-Kingsville which also resulted in her 200th career run scored... Jerrick now has 51 career home runs and needs six more to pass LSC record holder and former West Texas A&M standout Kim LeComte (56, 2009-12)...
 
MSU UNDER BRADY TIGERT
Brady Tigert is in his 11th season at the helm at Midwestern State and is the program's lone head coach since it was resurrected in 2004. The Mustangs have averaged just over 40 wins a year under Tigert, who boasts a 424-189 (.692) record which includes NCAA Division II postseason trips in eight of 10 seasons. MSU finished as national semifinalists in 2011, claimed two regional titles (2010, 2011) and two Lone Star Conference championships (2006, 2007).
 
LOOKING AHEAD
Midwestern State continues on the road next weekend against defending Lone Star Conference champion Texas Woman's. The Mustangs and Pioneers play a pair of doubleheaders on Friday, April 4 (5/7 p.m.) and Saturday, April 5 (1/3 p.m.).