WICHITA FALLS, Texas. – Midwestern State welcomes No. 2 UT Tyler to Mustangs Park on Sunday for a Lone Star Conference doubleheader. Game one starts at 12 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT 
Marley Eller launched a two run home run for visiting Midwestern State in a 5-3 loss to UT Permian Basin in game one of a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at the UTPB Softball Field. Eller's blast, her first of the season, handed the Mustangs a 3-2 lead in the top of the third. UT Permian Basin responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead, then added an insurance run in the sixth on a fielder's choice. Midwestern State put runners at second and third with one out in the seventh, but Marissa Salinas retired Kelsey Eropkin and Eller to end the game. Salinas (5-6) tossed four scoreless innings out of the bullpen to earn the win. Abby Cousins started for UTPB and allowed three runs in three innings. The Mustangs struck first in the top of the first when Bailey Brenek drove in Lauren Lindgren with a two-out single. Lindgren reached base on a double, her team leading ninth two-bagger of the season.Brenek finished 3-for-4 with a double while Eller went 3-for-4 with a home run. Carson Solis also recorded three hits for the Mustangs. UT Permian Basin took their first lead of the game in the second with a pair of runs, their first of two straight two run innings. Jacey Henry (1-7) pitched a complete game but was saddled with the loss after allowing five runs (three earned). Henry struck out two and did not walk a batter. 

Mattye Tyler pitched her best game of the season, allowing just three runs (one earned) in a complete game effort. It wasn't enough for visiting Midwestern State. The Mustangs lost their eighth straight game on Sunday afternoon, falling to UT Permian Basin 3-1 at the UTPB Softball Field. The win completed a doubleheader sweep for the Falcons, who took the first game, 5-3. Tyler (0-7) scattered four hits. The right-hander walked three and struck out one. UT Permian Basin plated the game's first run in the bottom of the third on a wild pitch. UTPB added two unearned runs in the fifth to take a 3-0 lead. The Mustangs' lone run of the game came in the sixth when Bailey Brenek drilled a home run to left. The freshman is now hitting .328 on the season. Ashley Turner recorded the only multi-hit game for MSU Texas, finishing 2-for-4.

The Mustangs' doubleheader at Tarleton State on Wednesday was postponed and will be played on April 17.

SERIES HISTORY
Sunday marks the first ever meeting between Midwestern State and UT Tyler on the diamond. The Patriots joined the Lone Star Conference prior to the 2019-2020 season and were approved in July to move into the second year of the NCAA Division II Membership Process (Transitioning from NCAA Division III).

DOUBLE TROUBLE
Lauren Lindgren smashed her team leading ninth double of the season on Sunday. Lindgren is tied for third in the Lone Star Conference with nine two-baggers and is hitting .375 on the season. 

WALK THIS WAY
Bailey Wamsley has shown terrific plate vision this season, drawing a team best 14 walks, a figure that puts the sophomore catcher in a tie for second place in the Lone Star Conference. The 14 walks has helped Wamsley post a .380 on base percentage, the fourth highest mark on the team. 

SENSATIONAL SOLIS
Carson Solis is hitting a team best .441 (15-for-34) in her first season in the Maroon and Gold. While all 15 hits are singles, Solis has driven in six runs, tied for fourth most on the team.

TOUGH LUCK FOR TYLER
Mattye Tyler twirled her best game of the season in game two of Sunday's twin bill but was saddled with the loss. The right-hander tossed a complete game and allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits. Tyler walked three and struck out one. The six innings tied a season-high for the sophomore.

SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS
UT Tyler opened their first season in Division II with 16-straight wins before a pair of losses to No. 21 Tarleton State on Friday. The Patriots were no-hit in a 3-0 loss in game one before falling in the nightcap, 10-6. Serena Saldivar is hitting a team best .420 with seven home runs and 23 RBI. The senior's .880 slugging percentage is second best in the Lone Star Conference while her seven round trippers place her in a tie for the conference lead. Haleigh Swinney and Ashley Perez are both hitting .375 while Kylie Brown is hitting .372. The Patriots hit .307 as a team. On the mound, the Patriots possess a 4.30 staff ERA. Payton Foster has pitched to a 2.36 ERA (10 appearances, four starts).   

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 58-87 (32-62) record during his time in Wichita Falls.
 
UP NEXT
The Mustangs travel to Oklahoma City on Friday for a doubleheader against Oklahoma Christian.