SAN ANGELO, Texas – The top two Lone Star Conference softball teams meet this weekend for a three-game series in Stephenville beginning with a doubleheader on Friday at 5 p.m. Angelo State owns a two-game lead over Tarleton State in the LSC standings entering its final road series of the season.

“This is another big weekend series for us,” Angelo State head coach Travis Scott said. “We know Tarleton is a great team so we are going to have to come out with intensity from the opening pitch. I know the girls are looking forward to the challenge.”
 
The No. 12 Rambelles are currently 35-8 on the season and 16-4 in the Lone Star Conference, while the TexAnns boast a 29-14 overall record and 14-6 in the LSC. The last time they met, Tarleton earned a 4-3 victory on March 25, 2012; however, the Belles won the series and stretched its all-time series lead to 29-12.
 
Offensively, Angelo State is hitting .344 on the season, while limiting its opponents to a .244 average. Elsamartina Apo (.466), Kacie Easley (.444) and April Breshears (.408) pace the offensive consistency, as all three are hitting above .400 on the year. The power in the lineup comes from senior DeeshanaLynn Tafiti, who has a team best 14 home runs and 60 runs batted in this season.
 
The consistency has been steady from the plate and in the circle.  ASU starters Claire Molina and Mary Kate McKay have combined for 26 complete games this season. Molina is 18-4 on the season with 122 strikeouts and a 2.76 earned run average. Her 18 wins leads the conference, and is just one victory ahead of teammate McKay. The sophomore from Madill, Okla., is 17-4 with a 2.39 ERA in 140.1 innings pitched.
 
Julie Mata is in her 16th season as head coach of Tarleton State and adds 12 winning seasons to her resume. The 2012 team is anchored by the pitching from Samantha Swanda and Randi Fentress. Swanda (15-6) has thrown 166.1 innings with a 2.40 earned run average. Fentress (14-4) flaunts a 3.00 ERA and is holding opponents to a .215 batting average.
 
The TexAnns are balanced offensively, as Katie Welborn (.388), Swanda (.379) and Arianna Rodriguez (.355) are all hitting above .350. Swanda and Rodriguez have each smacked 15 home runs this season, while Swanda leads the team with 43 runs batted in.
 
Live audio will be available on AngeloSports.com and 1260KKSA brought to you by Ben Ely for Friday's doubleheader or follow live Twitter updates @AngeloSports.