RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech's senior class has been an integral part of plenty of home success over the past three-plus seasons, and this weekend when the Lady Techsters host North Texas in a three-game Conference USA series they hope to see it continue.

Saturday's doubleheader is set for 2 p.m. while Sunday's single game is slated for noon. Admission is free both days.

Berkley Calapp, Jazlyn Crowder, Krystal De La Cruz, Preslee Gallaway and Morgan Turkoly have led Tech softball to mark of 60-17 at the Lady Techster Softball Complex since they first stepped foot on campus and starting competing in the spring of 2016.

After helping Tech post a 16-8 home mark their freshman campaign in 2016, these five seniors – along with their teammates – have seen those numbers improve going 21-5 in 2017, 17-3 in 2018 and 6-1 so far in 2019. They have won almost 80 percent of their home games during their careers.

Tech's home success has been just as apparent in league games. In its last 13 home regular season Conference USA series (dating back to the final two of 2015), Tech teams have won 12 of the 13 series and have posted a mark of 31-8 (a winning percentage of 79 percent). The Lady Techsters were 10-2 in home league games last year and 9-3 the year prior.

Those numbers will be put to a test this weekend when Tech (21-7, 3-0 C-USA) welcomes North Texas (16-10, 5-1 C-USA) in a pivotal, early-season league series.
Although Tech leads the all-time series against the Mean Green 14-9, North Texas snapped the Lady Techsters 10-game winning streak in the series with a three-game sweep in Denton last year. The winner of this weekend's series will have a leg up on the other in the race for the regular season conference title.

The Mean Green have won five of their first six league games, including a three-game sweep over UTEP last weekend in Denton. North Texas has already posted a pair of impressive non-conference wins over UL-Lafayette and Texas A&M this year.

Tech and North Texas rank No. 1 and No. 2 in the league in runs per game, both averaging just under six runs a contest. Tech boasts a number of the top offensive threats in the league, including the likes of Kimmie Atienza (.413, 21 runs, 10-10 SB), Morgan Turkoly (.381, 33 runs, 15-17 SB) and Jazlyn Crowder (.299, 21 runs, 25 RBI, 11-12 SB). North Texas counters with its own impressive bats in names like Katie Clark (.467, 18 runs, 7 doubles), Lacy Gregory (.388, 4 HR, 27 RBI) and Harley Perella (.322, 23 runs, 19 RBI).

However, offensive numbers could be put to the test this weekend as both programs boast some of the top pitchers in the league.

LA Tech's one-two punch of first team all-conference arms Preslee Gallaway (7-5, 2.60 ERA, 4 saves) and Krystal De La Cruz (6-1, 2.39 ERA, 1 save) will be matched up against North Texas' one-two punch of Hope Trautwein (9-3, 2.26 ERA) and Jenna Goodrich (6-3, 4.00 ERA).

A number of promotions have been set for Saturday, including free food (sausage dogs, hot dogs and chips while supplies last), free LA Tech bandanas (first 100 fans), inflatables, Champ, Tech cheer and more.

Fans can watch all three games streamed live with a paid subscription to CUSATV.com.