WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The Mustangs kick off the MSU Texas Invitational on Friday with games against Nebraska-Kearney and Northwestern Oklahoma State. First pitches are slated for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

SERIES HISTORY
MSU Texas and Nebraska-Kearney meet for the first time ever on Friday morning. After not playing against each other in any of the 16 previous seasons, the Mustangs and Lopers will meet twice in a span of nine days. Midwestern State holds a 2-0 edge over Northwestern Oklahoma State in a series that kicked off last season. The Mustangs outscored the Rangers 12-0 in earning a pair of wins in Wichita Falls..

LINDGREN'S LIGHTING IT UP
Lauren Lindgren is hitting .440 on the season after a 7-for-14 showing at last weekend's Harding Invitational. The outfielder is 11-for-25 in 2020, with a double and three RBI.

TURN UP
Ashley Turner opened the season with three straight multi-hit games and the sophomore has not stopped hitting. Turner went 4-for-12 at the Harding Invitational and has now recorded at least two hits in four of seven games. The Cache, Oklahoma native leads the Mustangs with a .458 batting average.

WILLIAMS GOES DEEP
Anna Williams became the first Mustang to homer in 2020, blasting a two-run shot in a loss to Harding on February 7. The transfer from Butler Community College hit two home runs last season.

TROUBLE ON THE MOUND
Midwestern State pitchers have compiled a 7.22 ERA through the first seven games of the season, the second highest mark in the Lone Star Conference. Only St. Mary's (8.20 ERA) has a higher team ERA.
 
SCOUTING THE FIELD
Nebraska-Kearney opened the season with a 3-3 showing at the Lubbock Sports Collegiate Invite. Four of the six games came against Lone Star Conference foes. The Lopers defeated both Eastern New Mexico (8-4) and UT Permian Basin (8-7) before losing to Lubbock Christian (5-4) and St. Edward's (14-6). The Lopers last had a winning season in 2012, the program's only winning season since 2007. After hitting .306 as a freshman, Jasmyn Broussard is off to a torrid start at the plate in 2020, carrying a .545 (6-for-11) batting average into the MSU Texas Invitational. In the circle, Sarah Handrahan (1.62 ERA) and Kelsey Goodban (2.71 ERA) have helped the Lopers compile a 4.10 staff ERA through the season's first six games.

Northwestern Oklahoma State opens the 2020 season on Friday against Midwestern State after having each of their first two games postponed due to rain. The Rangers finished 9-43 last season, but did win three of their final four games. Sophomore Kalie Johnson, who hit .337 as a freshman, anchors a lineup that hit .260 as a team last season. The Rangers struggled on the mound in 2019, posting a 7.57 staff ERA.
 
CATCHING UP WITH COACH RYAL
Mark Ryal begins his fourth season as head coach after serving in an interim capacity in 2017. Last season, Ryal guided the Mustangs to a 22-19 (13-17) record. The 22 wins marked the program's highest total since the 2016 season. Overall, the Dewar, Oklahoma native has compiled a 56-76 (32-58) record during his time in Wichita Falls.
 
UP NEXT
The Maroon and Gold continue play at the MSU Texas Invitational with a Saturday night contest against Southwestern Oklahoma State (7 p.m.).