SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Angelo State softball team welcomes Midwestern State to the ASU Softball Complex for a three-game series this weekend with a doubleheader slated for Saturday at 5 p.m. The No. 2 Rambelles are looking to raise money for Operation Gratitude during 1st Community Federal Credit Union Military Appreciation Weekend, as the Belles will be “Hitting for Our Heroes.”
 
Operation Gratitude is a nonprofit organization that sends care packages year-round to service members deployed overseas, to their children left behind and to wounded warriors in military hospitals and transition units. The Rambelles will be selling T-shirts and koozies that will benefit Operation Gratitude.
 
Earlier this week, the Belles (22-3, 6-0 LSC) climbed to No. 2 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top-25 Poll. ASU has won 22 of its last 23 games in part to its high-powered offense. As a team, Angelo State is hitting .373, while holding its opponent to a .255 average. The Belles have smashed 39 home runs and 49 doubles on the season, while outscoring their opponents 230-94.
 
The Hawaiian punch of Elsamartina Apo and DeeshanaLynn Tafiti in the middle of the lineup has been a big part of the success. Apo, a native of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, leads the team in batting average (.515), on-base percentage (.644) and doubles (8). Meanwhile, Tafiti leads the nation in home runs with 12, and has already recorded 45 RBIs on the season. The Kalaheo, Hawaii product is slugging .925 on the season, with 17 hits going for extra bases.
 
The Mustangs are currently 12-13 on the year and 2-4 in conference behind head coach Brady Tigert who's in his eighth season. Courtney Bingham (.512) and Elena Bennett (.417) lead MSU's offensive attack. Bingham has a .679 slugging percentage, while Bennett causes problems on the base paths as she's 18-19 in stolen bases. Lindsi Gleen is the Mustangs top pitcher and is 11-7 on the season. The freshman has a 3.29 earned run average in 108.2 innings pitched. 
 
Although Angelo State holds a 16-11 all-time series lead, the Mustangs went 3-1 against ASU last season. The last meeting came in the NCAA D-II South Central Regional “if necessary” game where MSU earned a 5-2 victory.

Be sure to listen to Saturday's doubleheaders live on 1260AM KKSA or on AngeloSports.com brought to you by Jeremy Bryant.