Date	Time	Opponent	Location	Venue	Live Links
Tuesday, February 27	5:00 p.m.	Midwestern State	Wichita Falls, Texas	Mustang Park	Stats | LSC Digital Network | Game Notes
Wednesday, February 28	1:00 p.m.	Midwestern State	Wichita Falls, Texas	Mustang Park	Stats | LSC Digital Network | Game Notes
Wednesday, February 28	3:00 p.m.	Midwestern State	Wichita Falls, Texas	Mustang Park	Stats | LSC Digital Network | Game Notes

 
CANYON, Texas – The West Texas A&M softball team faces a quick turnaround after a series sweep over UT Permian Basin. The Lady Buffs and Mustangs meet on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. before a doubleheader on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m.
 
GAME COVERAGE
A live stream will be available for the game provided by the Midwestern State athletic communications department through the Lone Star Conference Digital Network. Fans can buy a yearly pass for $140 that grants access to all broadcasts for the LSC including previous years or a $30 monthly subscription. Live stats will also be provided for fans to stay up to date.
 
A LOOK AT THE #2 LADY BUFFS
WT swept its second-consecutive Lone Star Conference series sweep after three wins over UT Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas. The Lady Buffs took game one 7-0 before slugging their way to a 13-0 run-rule victory in game two. In the series finale, WT jumped out early and never looked back. On the series, the Lady Buff pitching staff allowed just seven hits without allowing a run in 20 innings.  
 
The Lady Buffs feature a potent lineup that ranks inside the top 30 for Division II for almost every offensive category including top 10 standings in batting average, on base percentage, scoring, slugging percentage, runs, triples, and walks. WT's defense ranks third in the nation with a .992 fielding percentage.
 
Senior Diana Murtha ranks inside the top 10 of Division II hitters in batting average (.697), doubles (8), on base percentage (.804), RBIs (23), and slugging percentage (1.455). Brittni Rufus follows with a .490 batting average while leading the team with eight stolen bases. Rufus' three triples rank sixth in the country while her 22 hits rank third in the conference and 20th in Division II.
 
Heidi Vortherms heads a Lady Buff pitching staff with a 1.28 ERA in seven starts, posting a 7-0 record, a save, and 54 strikeouts. Boyer has started in eight games with a 7-1 record for a total of 38.2 innings pitched with 36 strikeouts
 
Head Coach Michael Mook is in his fifth season at WT, registering a 150-46 (.765) record in that time. For his career, Mook holds 304-107 record in eight seasons for an overall winning percentage of .740.
 
SCOUTING MIDWESTERN STATE
Midwestern State comes off a series sweep at the hands of the Cameron Aggies over the weekend. In game one, the Aggies defeated the Mustangs 3-0 before outlasting Midwestern State 5-4 in extra innings. In the series finale, Cameron powered its way past the Mustangs with a 15-8 victory. On the season, Midwestern State is 2-16 overall and 0-9 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
Allie Monroe leads the Mustang offense as the sophomore holds a .345 batting average with a 1.001 OPS, .618 slugging average, and .383 on-base percentage. The Lawton, Okla. native paces MSU with four doubles, one triple, three home runs, and 16 RBI. Camile Nunez follows with a .263 batting average on 15 hits including four doubles.
 
As a pitching staff, Midwestern State holds a 4.30 ERA in 120.1 innings of work. During that time, opponents are hitting .270 while hitting 17 doubles, three triples, and 13 home runs while striking out 82 times. Senior Cameron Kennedy holds a team-best 3.39 ERA while Addison Lindemann leads the team with 31 strikeouts.
 
Brittanie Talley is in her third season at Midwestern State and third overall. During her three seasons as a head coach, Talley holds a 22-92 (.193) overall record. 
 
THE SERIES
WT leads the all-time series with Midwestern State 35-22 including 22 straight wins against the Mustangs. The Lady Buffs are 13-11 in Wichita Falls and 7-0 against Midwestern State under Michael Mook. Last season, the two teams met for a three-game series in Canyon where WT swept the Mustangs, outscoring Midwestern State 27-2. In game one of the series, the Lady Buffs dominated the Mustangs, winning 9-0 in five innings. In the doubleheader the following day, WT defeated Midwestern State 11-2 in 5 innings before taking the finale, 7-0.
 
W, 7-0 – Canyon, 2023
W, 11-2 (5) – Canyon, 2023
W, 9-0 (5) – Canyon, 2023
W, 7-6 – Canyon, 2022
W, 15-7 (6) – Canyon, 2022
 
LSC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
After helping the No. 3-ranked West Texas A&M softball team to a series sweep over No. 6 UT Tyler, Brittni Rufus earned the Lone Star Conference Hitter of the Week award. Rufus earns the honor for the first time in her career at WT.
 
Rufus led a balanced Lady Buff lineup to a series sweep of the Patriots over the weekend. Rufus, batting out of the two spot, came up with timely hits throughout the series. In the first game of the series, Rufus doubled off the wall to give the Lady Buffs a 2-1 lead before eventually winning the game, 4-3. In game three, Rufus singled with no outs to move a runner up before eventually scoring the game-winning run. Over the three games, the Mansfield, Texas native batted .500 with four runs scored and three RBI.
 
NFCA RANKINGS
North Georgia received all 16 first-place votes to remain No. 1 with 400 points. WT ranks second with 382 points followed by Tampa (365), Cal State San Marcos (340), and Grand Valley State (327) to round out the top five. Mississippi College, Rogers State, UT Tyler, Indianapolis, and Wilmington occupy the sixth through 10^th spots.
 
The South Central region boasts four teams in the top 25 with WT leading the way at No. 2. UT Tyler (8^th), Colorado Christian (11^th), and Angelo State (25^th) also received spots in the poll. Texas A&M-Kingsville received votes in the poll.
 
LSC PRESEASON POLL
Defending Lone Star Conference and South Central Region champion UT Tyler topped the poll, totaling 591 points with 25 first-place votes. WT followed with 11 first-place votes and a total of 576 points. Oklahoma Christian (519, 3 fpv), Lubbock Christian (500), and Cameron (412) finished out the top five. Texas A&M-Kingsville (386, 2 fpv), Angelo State (383), St. Mary's (353), St. Edward's (288), and Texas Woman's (254) occupied the sixth through 10th spots. Eastern New Mexico (216), Texas A&M International (175), Midwestern State (127), Western New Mexico (72), and UT Permian Basin) finished out the poll.
 
UP NEXT
WT returns to the friendly confines of Schaeffer Park on Saturday, March 2 for a doubleheader with Texas Woman's at 1 p.m. Sunday sees the two teams return to the diamond for a 12 p.m. finale.