SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Angelo State Rambelle softball team kicks their season off in Houston as they participate in the Arkansas Tech Invitational tournament hosted at the Scrapyards Sports Complex in Conroe, Texas. The tournament starts on Friday, January 31 and will end on Sunday, February 2.
 
Game Info:
Angelo State vs Southern Arkansas University/ Henderson State University
Friday, January 31 | 12:30 p.m. / 5:30 p.m.
 
Angelo State vs Augustana/ University of Central Oklahoma
Saturday, February 1 | 3 p.m. / 5:30 p.m.
 
Angelo State vs Pittsburg State University
Sunday, February 2 |10 a.m.
 
Series Matchup:
This will be the second time in school history that Angelo State and Southern Arkansas have played each other, with Southern Arkansas leading the overall series, 1-0. The last time these two teams went head to head was on May 26, 2018, where the Muleriders defeated the Rambelles in the NCAA Division II Softball World Series, 3-0.
 
Since 2010, Angelo State and Henderson State have played each other three times with ASU leading the overall series, 3-0. The last time the Rambelles and Reddies played each other was on February 9, 2013, where ASU defeated Henderson State, 7-2. A homerun from Kacie Easley, and impressive pitching skills from Mary Kate McKay secured the win for Angelo State.
 
This will be the first time in school history that Angelo State and Augustana University have played each other. Augustana won the Division II National Title last year, defeating Texas A&M-Kingsville in the NCAA Division II Softball Championship in Denver, Colorado. The Vikings return one of the main pitchers in Ashley Mickschl, whose ERA, or earned run average, averages out to be a 1.82. Mickschl ended the 2019 season with 196 strikeouts, and 60 errors. The Vikings also return one of their main hitters, sophomore Mary Pardo. Pardo ended the 2019 season with 17 homeruns, 46 RBI, and 70 runs.
 
Since 2007, the Rambelles and the Bronchos have played each other six times with Central Oklahoma leading the all-time series, 4-2. The last time these two teams played each other was on February 26, 2019, where the Bronchos defeated the Rambelles, 10-2.
 
This will be the second time in school history that Angelo State and Pittsburg State have played each other. The last time the Rambelles played the Gorillas was on February 20, 2009, where ASU defeated Pittsburg State, 9-4. Pitcher April Haywood pitched for seven innings, finishing the game with seven strikeouts, five hits, four runs, and two errors for the Rambelles.
 
Players to Watch:
The Rambelles return several key players from last season. One returner is senior outfielder, Courtney Barnhill. The center fielder from Lubbock, Texas finished last season with a .396 batting average, earning 54 for the Belles off of 67 hits. Barnhill earned 12 homeruns, putting her at a total of 42 homeruns over her career, only four homeruns shy of tying the all-time homerun record in ASU softball. From a fielding standpoint, Barnhill finished the season with 94 chances, 85 putouts, and seven assists, averaging a .979 fielding percentage.
 
Another big returner for the Rambelles is senior pitcher from Salado, Texas, Meagan Hill. Hill finished the 2019 season with a 3.58 ERA, 122 strikeouts, and 80 earned runs. From a fielding standpoint, Hill finished the season with a .950 fielding percentage, recording 20 chances, one put out, and 18 assists.
 
Another returner for the Rambelles is senior infielder, Jade Strother. Strother ended the 2019 season with a .294 batting average, earning 29 runs off of 32 hits.  Strother hit 24 RBI over the season, three homeruns, and stole six bases throughout the season. From a fielding standpoint, Strother made 106 chances, 83 putouts, and 20 assists, finishing with a .972 fielding average.
 
Up Next:
The Rambelles travel to Melbourne, Florida to participate in the Florida Tech Invite hosted by Florida Tech University from Friday, February 7 to Sunday, February 9.