Softball Heads to Oxford for Weekend Matchup with Miami

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan softball hits the road this weekend to take on the Miami RedHawks in Oxford, Ohio. The two squads will face off for a pair of games on Sunday, April 10 beginning at 1 p.m., and finish the series the following day with a single game on Monday, April 11, also at 1 p.m. Live scoring will be available for each of the three contests, and the link can be found HERE.
 
RESEARCHING THE REDHAWKS (18-12, 9-2 MAC)
Miami preps to host Western Michigan sitting atop the Mid-American Conference standings following a three-game sweep of the Toledo Rockets this week. The RedHawks picked up two victories on Tuesday by 4-1 and 15-8 margins, and closed out the series with a 12-3 win the next day. On Wednesday, Miami triumphed as a result of 14 hits and five homeruns from five different members of the team.

At the plate, the RedHawks have been charged by the bat of sophomore infielder Karli Spaid, who posts a .406 batting average, which is good for third in the MAC. Spaid also registers 39 hits, 16 homers, 33 runs batted in, and 35 runs scored on the season, as well as a slugging percentage of .969 that leads the conference. Senior infielder Allie Cummins has been key for Miami as well, batting .386 with 35 hits, 10 bombs, 32 runs scored, and slugging percentage of .779 herself.

Fifth-year pitcher Courtney Vierstra leads the RedHawks on the bump, posting an 8-7 record with an earned run average of 3.14 in 17 appearances and 15 starts. Vierstra has recorded 109 strikeouts this season in 10 complete games and 94.2 innings pitched, while holding opposing batters to an average of .195 on the year.

 

BREAKING DOWN THE BRONCOS (14-19, 4-4 MAC)

The Broncos venture to Ohio this weekend following a two-game split at home this week with the Bowling Green Falcons, where WMU emerged victorious in the second of the two games by a final score of 5-1. A big third inning at the plate boosted Western Michigan to the win over Falcon ace Payton Gottshall.

Senior pitcher Reily Galloway leads the Broncos in the box, batting .333 with 32 hits, six homeruns, 20 RBI’s, 12 runs scored, and a slugging percentage of .568 on the year. Sophomore infielder Cassidy Brendtke has been a consistent source of offense for head coach Kathy Leitke as well, posting a .286 average with 28 hits, a pair of goners, 15 RBI’s, 12 runs scored, and a .439 slugging percentage of her own. Junior infielder Alyssa Kramer provides some power as well, batting .239 with a team-high seven homers, 22 hits, 21 RBI’s, and 15 runs scored to go along with a .478 slugging percentage.

In the circle, Western Michigan has been charged by Reily Galloway, who posts a 1.65 ERA with a 9-9 record in 20 appearances and 17 starts. She has posted 167 K’s, which is good for second in the MAC, in 110.1 innings pitched for 14 complete games, and holds hitters to a .172 average on the year. Sophomore Rissa Bajusz provides a solid option at pitcher as well, posting five wins in 15 appearances and 13 starts in addition to an earned run average of 3.55. In 73.0 innings pitched, Bajusz has recorded 60 punch-outs and a total of seven complete games this season.

 

ON THE HORIZON

Following this weekend’s face-off with Miami, Western Michigan gets ready for its final non-conference matchup of the season against the Michigan State Spartans on Wednesday, April 13 for a 5 p.m. first pitch. The contest inside Secchia Stadium will be available for streaming via B1G+, and will also feature live scoring.

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