SEARCY, Ark. – Following an 0-3 showing at the Gulf Shores Invitational, the Midwestern State Softball team heads to the Harding Invitational in search of their first win of the season. The Mustangs take on Northeastern State (Okla.) at 12 p.m. before wrapping up the day with a 2 p.m. game against Harding (Ark.).

SERIES HISTORY
MSU Texas has dominated the all-time series from Northeastern State, winning 30 of the first 33 meetings. The Mustangs have won 16-straight matchups.This is the first meeting between Midwestern State and Harding.

HISTORY IN THE YELLOWHAMMER STATE
Midwestern State's 33 hits at the season opening Gulf Shores Invitational is the most hits in a season's first three games in the 17-year history of the program. The previous high was 32 hits, set back during the 2016 season. 

TURN UP
Ashley Turner collected her first career three-hit game against Palm Beach Atlantic on Sunday and has opened the season with three straight mult-hit games. The sophomore is 7-for-12 this season with a triple and 2 RBI.

BRENEK'S BRINGING IT
Flower Mound's own Bailey Brenek has recorded back-to-back two-hit games and finished 5-for-11 with two runs scored at the Gulf Shores Invitational. The freshman recorded her first career extra base hit with a double against Mississippi College.

KLUTCH KELSEY
Kelsey Eropkin finished 5-for-11 with an RBI at the Gulf Shores Invitational and is tied for second on the team with a .455 batting average. The senior opened the season with consecutive two-hit games, making it the first time in her career she recorded back-to-back two-hit games to start a season.

SINGLES MACHINE
Midwestern State pounded out 33 hits across three games at the Gulf Shores Invitational, but managed just two extra-base hits. Bailey Brenek doubled against Mississippi College while Ashley Turner recorded a triple in a loss to Palm Beach Atlantic.

SCOUTING THE FIELD
Northeastern State (Okla.) plays their first game of the 2020 season on Friday against Midwestern State. The RiverHawks are coming off their second straight winning season (28-27). Sophomore Alyssia Crick looks to build off a sensational freshman campaign that saw the Moore, Oklahoma native lead the team with a .314 batting average. Southpaw Gail Young figures to be the ace once again for Head Coach Clay Davis' squad after a 19-13 season and team best 2.87 ERA.

Harding (Ark.) is 2-2 on the season after splitting four games at the Arkansas Tech Invitational. The Bisons have already played three ranked teams this season, losing to No. 21 Tarleton State and No. 10 Texas A&M-Commerce before defeating No. 15 Cameron. All four of Harding's games this season have come against Lone Star Conference opponents. Hannah Garrett (.467) and Lindsey Duncan (.438) provide a 1-2 offensive punch for the Bisons while Jenna Hipp (0.81 ERA), Emma Dwyer (1.17 ERA), and Aidan Nichols (3.28 ERA) all fared well in the circle at the Arkansas Tech Invitational.
 
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 56-72 (32-58) record during his time in Wichita Falls.
 
UP NEXT
The Mustangs continue play at the Harding Invitational with games against Dury (Mo.) at 10 a.m. and Delta State (Miss.) at 12 p.m.