April 28, 2006

SAN MARCOS - Texas State takes aim at its first Southland Conference regular-season crown since the 2002 season this weekend in Monroe, La., as the Bobcats face off with Louisiana-Monroe in a three-game weekend series at Lady Indian Field.

Texas State sits atop the SLC at 18-3 and holds a slight percentage lead over I-35 rival Texas-San Antonio, who sits comfortably in second place at 19-5.

The Bobcats head into the weekend series having won 15 of 17 over the Lady Indians under sixth-year head coach Ricci Woodard, including a sweep at Lady Indian Field in 2004.

ULM (25-30, 8-16 SLC) has played tough at home, with 20 of its 25 wins coming at Lady Indian Field, including five straight.

The Lady Indians two biggest threats on offense are second baseman Heather Hanson and catcher Heather Williams. The two have combined for 15 doubles, seven home runs, 49 RBIs and 150 total bases.

In the circle, the Bobcats will likely face Sammie Dillard (12-11, 2.27) as well as Lindsay Rittenhouse (6-8, 3.79).

Texas State can clinch the regular season title with two wins over ULM this weekend, while two Texas-San Antonio losses to Texas-Arlington would allow the Bobcats to clinch the crown with one victory.

At the conclusion of the weekend series in Monroe, Texas State will begin preparations for the SLC Tournament in Natchitoches, La., May 5-7.