CONWAY – The University of Central Arkansas softball team is set to host a loaded home slate this weekend, beginning with a 6 p.m. contest against Big 12-foe Oklahoma State Thursday at Farris Field.

The Bears will then host Sam Houston State for its second Southland series of the season starting with a doubleheader Friday at 5 p.m. Central Arkansas will conclude the homestand with a 1 p.m. Saturday matinee against the Bearkats.

UCA (12-12, 1-2 SLC) is coming off a 1-2 weekend against SLC Preseason favorites Nicholls. The Bears closed the series on a good note, having shut out the Colonels 2-0 in the finale behind a powerful pitching performance from Rio Sanchez. While the batting average has dipped to .313 for Central Arkansas, the team-ERA has improved to 3.71 with several good pitching performances this past week.

MEET THE OPPONENTS

OKLAHOMA STATE COWGIRLS

Oklahoma State (18-5) is one of the most underrated teams in the entire country. Coming off a sweep of No. 24 Oregon, the Cowgirls bring one of the nation's strongest offenses to Farris Field on Thursday.

OSU has hit an incredible 34 home runs so far this year while averaging six runs per game. Appropriately named Samantha Show leads the way with seven homers and 24 RBIs. Show also happens to be the top performer in the circle for the Cowgirls as well. She has posted a 7-2 record, a 1.81 ERA and 48 strikeouts.

SAM HOUSTON STATE BEARKATS

The Bears will resume Southland Conference play on Friday as they host Sam Houston State (9-14, 1-2 SLC) in a three-game series. The Bearkats are in their first season under new head coach Garrett Valis.

Kyndal Kutac is leading the way offensively for SHSU, hitting .306 with five home runs and 12 RBIs. Lindsey McLeod has emerged in the circle for the Bearkats as the leader in their rotation. She tossed a no-hitter last weekend against Northwestern State and is 5-7 with four complete games this season. She is averaging a little more than one strikeout per inning having whiffed 65 over 63.1 innings thus far.

BEAR TO WATCH

One of the hidden gems in the Southland Conference this year is the season junior Cylla Hill has put together. The Henryetta, Okla. native is hitting a Southland Conference leading .466, which also ranks 32nd nationally.

Hill is fifth in all of Division-I with 10 doubles on a team that continues to lead the league in average, doubles, slugging, on-base percentage and scoring. Welcoming a club from her home state, look for Hill to continue to lead a UCA offense that is looking to pick itself up after an unusually off week.

FOLLOW THE ACTION

All four games this weekend will be streamed on the Bear Nation Network and will have live stats available for fans. To keep up with all the latest on UCA Softball, follow the team on Twitter @UCASoftball and @UCASports.