April 3, 2008

SAN MARCOS - After a week of games outside the Southland Conference, Texas State dives back into SLC play with a key three game set at rival UTSA, beginning with a doubleheader on Friday at 5 p.m.

The series will also give the winner the upper hand in the SLC regular season title chase. The Bobcats (23-11, 13-2 SLC) currently lead the Roadrunners (18-15, 13-5) by 1.5 games and can widen their lead with a series win while also picking up some points in the IBC Maroon vs. Orange I-35 Rivalry Series.

Texas State has overcome a slow start to catch fire, winning five straight and 17 of its last 19 games. In conference play, the `Cats have the league's best batting average at .322, led by McKenzie Baack's .349 average on the year. Baack has hit safely in 14 of the last 15 games. Alex Newton and Kristina Tello also bat better than .300 overall while Newton leads Texas State with nine steals.

In the circle, Katie Garnett and Ragan Blake have combined to go 17-2 since the start of conference play while also sporting ERAs under 1.80 over that span. Blake also ranks second in the Southland in strikeouts and opponents' average, ringing up 116 batters in 117.2 innings while holding opponents to a .210 clip.

UTSA's potent offense will prove a tough test, as the Roadrunners have the most runs, hits and RBIs of any SLC team in conference play, narrowly edging the Bobcats for first place in runs and RBIs. Danye Holmes and Rudi Cantu each bat over .360 while Holmes also has 28 RBIs.

Amanda Nikolenko anchors the UTSA pitching staff with a 10-8 record on the year. Nikolenko's ERA sits at 2.68 overall, but against SLC opponents she is 7-3 with a 1.34 ERA. Holmes has also been successful in the circle with a 4-1 record and 1.87 ERA in conference play.