Midwestern State (0-0, 0-0) vs. Colorado School of Mines / Chadron State / Lubbock Christian / Emporia State
Lubbock Softball Classic
Friday, Feb. 2-4, 2018
PlainsCapital Park | Lubbock, Texas
Live Stats vs. Colorado School of Mines (Feb. 2 / 6 PM): LCUChaps.com | Live Video: LCUChaps.com
MSU leads the all-time series 2-0 | 1-0 vs. Mines in neutral site meetings | MSU won last meeting, 5-0 on Feb. 10, 2017
Live Stats vs. Chadron State (Feb. 3 / 11 AM): LCUChaps.com | Live Video: LCUChaps.com
MSU leads the all-time series 2-0 | 2-0 vs. CSC in neutral site meetings | MSU won last meeting, 9-7 on Feb. 13, 2016
Live Stats vs. Lubbock Christian (Feb. 3 / 1:30 PM): LCUChaps.com | Live Video: LCUChaps.com
MSU leads the all-time series 2-1 | 0-1 vs. LCU on the road | LCU won last meeting, 7-2 on Jan. 30, 2016
Live Stats vs. Emporia State (Feb. 4 / 10 AM): LCUChaps.com
All-time series is tied 5-5 | 3-3 vs. ESU in neutral site meetings | MSU has won last three meetings
Live Stats vs. Colorado School of Mines (Feb. 4 / 1 PM): LCUChaps.com | Live Video: LCUChaps.com
MSU leads the all-time series 2-0 | 1-0 vs. Mines in neutral site meetings | MSU won last meeting, 5-0 on Feb. 10, 2017
 
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
 
ELITE EIGHT: The Mustangs return eight players with at least 10 starts from last season's 19-27 squad. Left field is the only position the Maroon and Gold don't have a returner with at least 10 starts while seven players bring at least 40 starts.
 
LINDGREN RAKES: Sophomore outfielder Lauren Lindgren led the Mustangs in average (.351), at-bats (154), runs (33), hits (54), doubles (9), triples (2), home runs (6), RBI (24), total bases (85), slugging (.552) and stolen bases (14), earning second team All-Conference accolades. The Denton product carries over a five-game hitting streak and reached base safely in the final six games of 2017.
 
'STANGS PEGGED EIGHTH IN LSC PRESEASON: Midwestern State was projected to finish eighth in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll, voted on by LSC coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives.
 
SCOUTING THE OREDIGGERS: Colorado School of Mines is coming off a 32-15 season and was picked to finish second in the RMAC preseason coaches' poll. The Orediggers return NFCA All-Region second baseman Katie Leiker who hit .352 with 37 RBI a year ago. In the circle, Hallie Smith looks to build on a 14-8 record and 2.54 ERA, earning All-Region accolades.
 
SCOUTING THE EAGLES: Chadron State begins the 2018 season after a 32-25 season a year ago. Senior outfielder Aspen Eubanks made 52 starts while hitting .308 with a team-leading nine home runs and 33 RBI. Pitcher Jessica Jarecki is coming off a 17-win campaign and headlines a staff that featured a 3.67 ERA last season.
 
SCOUTING THE CHAPS: The Lady Chaps were picked to win the Heartland Conference in the preseason poll after a 40-19 campaign and an appearance in the NCAA South Central Regional. Outfielder Sydeny Beuthien finished the 2017 season with 21 home runs, the second-most in NCAA DII and 62 RBI to go along with a .394 average to earn second team All-American honors. In the circle, Monique Garcia brings an 11-6 record and a 2.66 ERA over 108.0 innings.
 
SCOUTING THE HORNETS: Emporia State finished last season with a 34-26 overall record and were runner-ups at the MIAA Tournament. Graduation hit the Hornets' pitching staff hard, losing all but 8.0 innings in the arm of Danielle Sprinkle. Offensively, Caitlin VanVleck (.347, 1 HR, 21 RBI, 17 SB) headlines a squad that hit .281, but stole 94 bases a season ago.