GAME COVERAGE LINKS
 
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State has used four conference wins in its last seven games to put itself right in the mix for the eight-team GAC Championships just under a month away as HSU is currently tied for eighth.
 
Before the Reddies can think about that, however, they'll have to contend with second-place Arkansas Tech this weekend in Russellville, Arkansas. First pitch at Chartwells Women's Sports Complex will come Friday, April 8 at 5 p.m. before a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.  
 
REDDIES REPORT
Henderson St. claimed a much-needed win this past Tuesday against Ouachita Baptist, climbing out of a 2-0 hole, using five unanswered runs to take the eventual win, 5-2. Savannah Carrigan (4-8) saw her third complete game of the season from inside the circle, allowing just two earned runs while registering one strikeout to one walk.
 
Brooke Johnson logged her second multi-hit game since mid-March, going 2-for-3 at the plate, including her fifth home run of the season, and two RBIs. Johnsons now ranks second on the team in both homers (7) and RBIs (17) and total bases (55). The freshman does lead the clubhouse in doubles with nine.
 
A nice addition to the Reddie bats lately has been yet another freshman in Miyah Jackson. After missing the start of the season due to injury, Jackson has now been in the lineup the past seven games, primarily as HSU's designated player, and has claimed three hits and three runs over her last four games as well as working two walks in back-to-back outings.
 
Carrigan has seen her ERA plummet over the last month, coming into the March 9 doubleheader at OBU with a 7.77 ERA. After her complete-game, two-run outing against the Tigers, the Little Rock, Arkansas, native now boasts a 5.27 ERA through a team-high 79.2 innings of work. Johnson still leads the staff with a 3.98 mark, followed by Bittinger at 4.22.
 
Since 2012, the series between HSU and Arkansas Tech is just about neck-and-neck at 24-23 in the Golden Suns' favor. Tech has used a four-game winning streak to see that advantage, sweeping the Reddies in a four-game series the last time ATU came to Arkadelphia. The last time Henderson was in Russellville, HSU saw a 2-0 win.
 
SCOUTING ARKANSAS TECH
The Golden Suns are riding a five-game winning streak coming into this weekend, including a win over then-No. 3 Rogers State. This season, ATU has been just as good at home as it has on the road, boasting 7-3 and 8-3 records, respectively. Tech is currently second in the GAC with a 15-6 conference record.
 
Arkansas Tech brings one of the best offenses in the GAC to the diamond, sitting first in home runs (50) and second in runs scored (215) and RBIs (197). Junior Tymber Riley carries the best bat in the league, hitting .430 with a league-best 52 hits, .521 on-base percentage and 42 runs scored, while sitting second in home runs (11).
 
Starting pitcher Shannon Lasey is sporting a 1.91 ERA and an eye-popping 0.94 WHIP, owning a 72-21 strike-to-walks ratio this season. Splitting starting duties is Bailey Buffington, who owns a 2.33 ERA. Relief pitcher Kaila Cartwright has picked up three saves this season, which is tied for the most in the conference.