SILVER CITY, N.M. –Lone Star Conference play begins on Friday when the Mustangs take on Western New Mexico in a doubleheader. Game one's first pitch is set for 12 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT
Nebraska-Kearney pounded out 11 hits on the way to an 11-3 five inning run rule victory over Midwestern State. The loss overshadowed another strong hitting performance from freshman Bailey Brenek, who went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Brenek, who hit her first collegiate home run on February 22, wasted little time giving the Mustangs the lead, belting a run scoring double to left in the first. Nebraska-Kearney countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame on RBI hits from Nicole Spykstra and Hailey Schaneman before breaking the game open with a five run second. With a run already home on an error, Schaneman and McKenna Becker each ripped two-run singles. Schaneman finished with four RBI. Midwestern State clawed to within 7-3 in the third. With the bases loaded and one out, Marley Eller lifted a sacrifice fly to left. Later in the inning, with the bases again loaded, Katlyn Frakes drew a walk. UNK answered with two runs in the bottom of the third. A pair of fifth innings runs finished off the game.

SERIES HISTORY
The Maroon and Gold have dominated the all-time series, winning 17 of the first 20 meetings. The Mustangs won all four meetings last season and ride a six-game winning streak into Friday's doubleheader.

BRENEK'S BRINGING IT
Back-to-back multi-hit games raised Bailey Brenek's average to .319. The freshman slugged her first collegiate home run last Saturday, a three-run shot in the seventh. The Flower Mound native is tied for second on the team with six RBI.

MODEL OF CONSISTENCY
Lauren Lindgren is hitting a team best .385 with 10 RBI through the first 16 games of the season. Lindgren, who began the season with a 10-game hitting streak, is 5-for-10 over the last three games with two doubles and three runs scored.

MAGIC MARLEY
Marley Eller has driven in four runs in the last three games to move into a tie with Bailey Brenek for second on the team. Eller is also 5-for-16 at the plate over the last five games, raising her average to .278.

NEW SCHOOL, NO PROBLEM
Carson Solis, a transfer from Hill College, has shown no trouble adjusting to Division II softball. The Frisco, Texas native is riding an eight-game hitting streak after a 2-for-3 game against Nebraska-Kearney and has recorded three multi-hit games during the streak. Solis is 6-for-8 at the plate over the last three games. 

STREAK SNAPPED 
Midwestern State's win over No. 22 Rogers State (Okla.) ended a 20-game losing streak to ranked opponents. Prior to Friday, the Mustangs' last win over a top 25 win came on March 9, 2018 against No. 11 Texas A&M-Commerce (5-4). Current senior Lauren Lindgren went 1-for-3 with an RBI and current assistant coach Amanda Thomas finished 1-for-3 with a run.

SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS
At 7-6, Western New Mexico has already matched their win total from last season. The Mustangs last played on February 15, a 5-3 loss to California University of Pennsylvania. Alicia Habitzreuther is hitting a team best .421 and enters Friday on a six-game hitting streak. Kaila Burnett has knocked in a team-high 10 runs. In the circle, Julia Vega is 2-1 with a 3.97 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 58-83 (32-58) record during his time in Wichita Falls.
 
UP NEXT
A doubleheader against UT Permian Basin on Sunday.