DENTON (3/9/07) The North Texas softball team opens up conference play this weekend when it hosts Louisiana Monroe at Lovelace Stadium. The Mean Green plays a doubleheader on Saturday, beginning at 1 pm, and then hosts a single game at 1 pm on Sunday.

The Mean Green (3-17) returns home after playing 18 of its 20 games on the road. North Texas has lost its last 14 games, the longest losing streak in school history. Eight of NT’s losses have come at the hands of Big XII opponents: Texas (2), Oklahoma State,  Oklahoma, Iowa State (2) and Kansas (2).

North Texas is starting Sun Belt play on March 11; the earliest date it has ever started conference action. The conference added three teams for the 2007 season: Louisiana Monroe, South Alabama and Florida Atlantic. Only eight of the top nine teams will advance to the 2007 Sun Belt Conference Championship held in Murfreesboro, TN.

The Mean Green will look to improve on its 3-12 Sun Belt record from last year when it opens conference play this weekend against Louisiana Monroe. North Texas is playing the Warhawks for the first time as a conference opponent but has a 5-1 series record versus ULM as a non-conference opponent.

North Texas played the Warhawks five times last year, posting a .302 batting average. Kristina Fowler went 4-0 against ULM with an ERA of 1.02, posting a five-inning no-hitter on March 1.

Susan Waters and Sarah Jones were named to the all-tournament team at the Great Western Downtown Plaza Classic for their play this past weekend. Jones led the team offensively this weekend with six hits and a .462 batting average. In the 7-4 loss to Kansas, the second baseman went 2-for-3 with a career-high two RBI. he sophomore posted a hit in each of the five tournament games and is riding a personal-best six-game hitting streak.

Waters posted a .308 batting average in the tournament with four hits. The hit her team-leading fifth home run of the season in the 14-1 loss to Tulsa. Waters has been named to the Tulsa All-Tournament three straight years.

The North Texas student radio station, KNTU Radio (88.1) will be broadcasting eight of the Mean Green’s home games. This weekend, KNTU will be carrying the 3 pm Saturday game and the 1 pm game on Sunday.

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