The end of the year is usually one of the most crucial times in any sport, but for Middle Tennessee the next three contests represent a must-win situation if the team is to qualify for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

The Blue Raiders need to sweep the Hilltoppers and hope that Louisiana-Monroe drops all three of its games against No. 22 Louisiana-Lafayette to pick up the final spot in next week's championships.

"This is a win-or-go-home situation and we need our players to bring nothing short of that attitude this weekend," said Head Coach Sue Nevar. "We need to be focused with the task at hand and perform up to the level at which we've played in the last few weeks."

Middle Tennessee has picked up a season-high six wins in a nine-game stretch that has also seen it close the gap on the Warhawks in the standings.

Western Kentucky and the Blue Raiders are matching up for the 36th time in program history with the Hilltoppers holding a narrow 18-17 advantage all-time. The last meeting between the teams occurred on May 8 of last season when the Hilltoppers won 2-1 at 2008 conference tournament in Troy, Ala.

Opening pitch of the first contest at WKU Softball Field is slated for 1 p.m. Saturday.

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