LSC Weekend Preview

There will be a 12:15 press conference at ASU to announce the new Men's basketball head coach.  Live stream available at www.Angelosports.com


Baseball
Abilene Chrstian at Texas A&M-Kingsville - Both teams took 3 of 4 last weekend - the Javelinas on the road at preseason favorite Angelo State, the Wildcats at home over Incarnate Word.  The squads are pretty even offensively - ACU is scoring 6.7 runs per game and are hitting .304, while TAMK is scoring 6.5 runs per game with a .313 average.  The Javelinas have run more, stealing 60 bases to 43 for ACU.  As for the pitching, TAMK has the advantage, with a team ERA of 2.76, while ACU's is 4.21.  The Javelinas are ranked in national polls anywhere from 10 to 15, but ACU split a pair of games with #1 Delta State, and UIW was ranked last weekend.

Tarleton State at West Texas A&M - The Texans lead the LSC after battering Eastern New Mexico last weekend, while WT split their series at Cameron.  Offensively, the teams are pretty even, with WT holding a slim advantage in average (.341-.331) and runs scored (166 to 160).  Tarleton runs more often (58 stolen bases to 32).  On the mound, they are pretty close as well - WT has a 3.26 ERA, while Tarleton's is 3.45.  The also have the top two fielding percantages in the LSC.  Home field could play the deciding factor - the Buffs defend their home field quite well (12-4), while Tarleton has struggled on the road (2-6-1).

Angelo State at Incarnate Word - This a great matchup of two teams needing to win to keep from falling further behind in the conference standings.  At the plate the teams have similar batting averages (.320 for ASU, .318 for UIW), but UIW is averaging a run more per game.  UIW has the pitching advantage as well, with a team ERA of 3.88, while ASU's is 5.51.  UIW is also 12-0 at home, while ASU is very good on the road (7-2).

Cameron at Eastern New Mexico - Interesting matchup of the LSC's last place offense (Cameron hitting .269 and scoring just 4.7 runs per game) against the last place pitching staff (ENMU team ERA of 8.20).  ENMU does lead the LSC with a .361 batting average and is scoring 7.3 runs per game, while Cameron has 5.83 team ERA, second to last in the conference.


Softball
Angelo State at #19 Midwestern State - the Rambelles were #4 in the preseason poll, but are currently unranked, while Midwestern State was unranked in the preseason, is currently #19.  The Lady Mustangs offense leads the LSC in batting average (.398, next is TWU at .337) and runs (217, same as TWU but in 7 fewer games).  The Rambelles ERA is almost a full run better than MSU's.  Important series to keep pace with WTAM.

Texas A&M-Kingsville at #1 West Texas A&M - mismatch of the week.  WT's offense is averaging 8.3 runs per game, while TAMK averages 3.9.  The Lady Buff's ERA is 1.10 lower per game as well.  A sweep is very likely.

#9 Texas Woman's at Cameron - The Pioneers have won 17 of their last 19, and they should fatten up their offensive stats against a Cameron pitching staff that has a 5.17 ERA.  TWU also leads the LSC with a 2.16 ERA.  Another likely sweep and keeping pace with WT.

Tarleton State at Abilene Christian - ACU was ranked just a couple of weeks ago, but went through a stretch that saw them lose 8 of 12.  They have the second best ERA in the LSC (2.28) and will be facing a TexAnn squad that is is last in the LSC with a .261 average.

Incarnate Word at Eastern New Mexico - UIW will look to stay in the playoff hunt against ENMU.  The batters are looking forward to facing a Zia pitching staff that has a 7.95 ERA and has given up 117 more runs than any other LSC team.


Track Schedule
ACU, ASU, UIW, MSU, TAMC  at the Bobby Layne Invitational in Arlington
TAMK is at the LSC Relays
TSU is at McMurry Tri Meet
ENMU, WTAM are at the Texas El-Paso Invitational


Tennis Rankings
ACU Men are #14 nationally, #2 in South Central Region
UIW Men are #19 nationally, #3 in South Central Region
Cameron Men are #20 nationally, #4 in South Central Region
MSU Men are #31 nationally, #5 in South Central Region

ACU Women are #3 nationally, #1 in South Central Region
Tarleton Women are #32 nationally, #2 in South Central Region
Cameron Women are #12nationally, #3 in South Central Region
MSU Women are #40 nationally, #5 in South Central Region
UIW Women are #33 nationally, #6 in South Central Region