Softball Hosts MTSU In Search Of C-USA Title

DENTON – For the latter half of Conference USA play in 2019, the North Texas softball team believed it controlled its own destiny in its quest to win a regular-season title.

In the final weekend of regular season, the Mean Green (32-16, 17-4) have a chance to do just that. Tied atop the Western Division and C-USA with Louisiana Tech, the two teams would be co-champions if they match each other's results. After taking the series in Ruston in March, North Texas will be the No. 1 seed in the Conference USA tournament in the event of a tie.

North Texas will begin a home series with Middle Tennessee on Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m., while the Lady Techsters (39-13, 17-4) are on the road at Southern Mississippi (29-19, 12-9). After setting a program record for wins in his first season at North Texas, head coach Rodney DeLong knows his team is ready to challenge for both its first regular-season and conference tournament title.

"We've got something to play for this weekend," DeLong said. "It's pressure. It gives us pressure to perform which we will feel in the conference tournament. The important thing is that we stay within ourselves and not try to do too much. Make the simple plays and be who we are."

The Mean Green are looking for a sixth conference series win in 2019. Middle Tennessee snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 5-4 win over UAB on Thursday in a make-up game, and the Blue Raiders enter the weekend with the second most hits (359) in C-USA.

The Blue Raiders have won four conference series in 2019 and are looking to find a spot in the conference tournament. Five teams have secured a berth in the conference tournament: North Texas, Louisiana Tech, Western Kentucky, Southern Miss and Marshall.

While North Texas gets to spend the final weekend of the regular season at home, hoping to use the advantage in pursuit of a conference title, Saturday will be the first time stepping onto the Lovelace Stadium surface all week. Storms in the area forced the Mean Green to practice at Argyle High School.

"It's not been an easy week with the weather," DeLong said. "But I think the girls are excited. We're here for a reason. I'm excited about it, they're excited about it and we are ready to go. We always love playing in front of our crowd."

Prior to Sunday's game North Texas will honor its 2019 seniors: outfielder Hannah Gerecke, utility Sally Gastelo, third baseman Harley Perella, second baseman Rhylie Makawe and first baseman Sam Rea. The class features three four-year starters and two junior-college transfers.

Saturday's doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. and offers $1 hot dogs. The series wraps up on Sunday at noon with first pitch after the senior ceremony. Games will be streamed with live stats carried. Tickets are still available online for this weekend's Party At the Lace.

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Players Mentioned

Sally Gastelo

Hannah Gerecke

Rhylie Makawe

Harley Perella

Sam Rea

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