Softball | November 02, 2016

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan Athletics and the Bronco softball program will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the 2006 Mid-American Conference championship, Nov. 18-19.

WEEKEND DETAILS
The weekend will begin Friday, Nov. 18 with a 6 p.m. social at the University Roadhouse. Light appetizers will be served. On Saturday, there will be a tailgate at Fran Ebert Field prior to the WMU football game versus Buffalo, with food and soft drinks provided. The 2006 softball team will be honored during the football game, as well as presented championship rings.

Families are welcomed and encouraged to attend weekend events. Game time for the football game will be dependent on the television network schedule and will be announced approximately 12 days prior to kickoff.

Complimentary tickets to the football game are available for members of the 2006 team and a guest. If you are in need of additional tickets, they can be purchased for the group rate discount at $14 apiece. Please RSVP to the Special Events office at allison.r.frontczak@wmich.edu or (269) 387-3343.

ABOUT THE 2006 BRONCOS
The Bronco softball team (34-14 record) captured its third regular season MAC regular season title in 2006 and finished runner-up in the MAC Tournament. In non-conference play, Western Michigan upset No. 7 ranked Michigan, 2-1.

WMU placed six team members on the All-MAC team, the most of any team in 2006. Pitcher Krysten Shumaker, second baseman Amanda Heckaman and outfielder Katie Niemi were named First Team All-MAC, while outfielder Kristi Strange, catcher Becky Bartosz and shortstop Mandi Sayres collected Second Team honors. Sayres and designated hitter Lauren Fuller were also named to the All-Freshman Team. Head coach Kathy Leitke was voted MAC Coach of the Year.

Additionally, Shumaker and Fuller were named Second-Team All-Great Lakes Region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

Shumaker became the second Bronco ever to eclipse the 200 strikeout mark and set a then school record with 239 punch outs. She currently ranks second in career K's, after Meredith Whitney broke the record with 247 six years later. Strange set and still holds the school record with 23 doubles in a season and 42 doubles in a career. Heckaman's 37 RBIs in 2006 was a record that now ranks second in school history.