Midwestern State (5-2, 0-0) vs. UT Permian Basin (4-5, 0-0)
Lone Star Conference Series
Saturday & Sunday, Feb. 17-18, 2018
UTPB Softball Field | Odessa, Texas
MSU leads the all-time series 8-1 | 2-0 vs. UTPB on the road | MSU lost last meeting, 6-0 on Feb. 18, 2017
Live Stats: UTPBFalcons.com
 
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
LEADING OFF: The MSU Texas softball team opens up Lone Star Conference play this weekend against UT Permian Basin at the UTPB Softball Field in Odessa. Midwestern State is off to its best start since the 2013 team also opened 5-2 before advancing to the NCAA South Central Regional with a 43-17 record.
 
THOMPSON COMES UP CLUTCH: Senior third baseman Kelcee Thompson leads the MSU offense, hitting .389 on the season with a double, home run and three RBI. The Springdale, Ark., native has reached safely in the last four games, hitting .455 over that stretch.
 
FROZEN ROPES: Sophomore outfielder Kelsey Eropkin paced the Mustangs' offense at the North Texas Softball Bash, hitting .429 with three runs scored. The Shawnee, Okla., product has launched a pair of homers this season and owns a five-game hitting streak, hitting .353 with five runs scored.
 
ENTER SANDMAN: Junior pitcher Abbie Lancaster has been lights-out from the bullpen this season, earning a LSC-leading three saves on the year. In five relief appearances, the Idabel, Okla., native has scattered three hits and four walks over 10.2 innings while holding opponents to a meager .079 average. Relievers for the Mustangs combine for a 3-0 record and 0.35 ERA in 20.0 innings of work.
 
SCOUTING THE FALCONS: UTPB enters the conference opener with a 4-5 record, taking home a split at the North Texas Softball Bash last weekend. Senior infielder Adrianna Berzoza paces the Falcons, hitting .407 with nine runs, three doubles, a home run and five RBI. Sophomore pitcher Maritza Rojas owns a 2-0 record and a 2.03 ERA, tossing a pair of complete games for UTPB.