KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan Baseball begins its 2018 campaign on Friday, Feb. 16 with a doubleheader at Houston Baptist. With rain in the forecast, Friday's doubleheader will begin at 12:00 p.m., followed by the second game at 3:30 p.m. Saturday's contest will be played at 2:00 p.m.
Game Information
Western Michigan Broncos (0-0, 0-0 MAC) at Houston Baptist Huskies (0-0, 0-0 Southland)
Game One (Friday, Feb. 16) – 12:00 p.m.
Game Two (Friday, Feb. 16 – 3:30 p.m.
Game Three (Saturday, Feb. 17) – 2:00 p.m.
Probable Starters
RHP
Jack Szott (1-2, 3.51 ERA*) vs. RHP Zach Carter (7-3, 3.28 ERA*)
RHP
Nic Laio (4-3, 5.32 ERA*) vs. LHP Matthew McCollough (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
LHP
Jacob Piechota (3-4, 5.25 ERA*) vs. RHP Daniel Endsley (3-2, 3.29 ERA*)
* 2017 stats
All games are streamed live on the HBU Huskies YouTube Channel
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Scouting the Broncos
Last season, Western Michigan ended the year with a 24-29 overall record and 12-12 in Mid-American Conference play. WMU advanced to the MAC Tournament for the fourth consecutive season and went 1-2, defeating No.3 seed Eastern Michigan.
The Broncos offensively were one of the best in the country last year, ranking 20
th in the NCAA in batting average (.308) and set a new school record with 591 hits in a season. Leading the way was
Tanner Allison who was named to two All-American teams and was the MAC Player of the Year after hitting .356 with 18 doubles, nine home runs and 68 runs batted in.
Broncos Picked to Finish Sixth in Preseason Poll
Western Michigan was picked to finish sixth in the MAC Preseason Coaches' poll with 47 votes. Kent State is the league favorite with 98 votes and eight first-place votes.
Smith Seeking Big Junior Season
Junior
Connor Smith returns for his junior campaign after ranking third on the team last season in batting average (.339) and RBI's (35). Smith earned Second Team All-MAC honors for the second straight season.
Nate At the Plate
Junior
Nate Grys last season was one of the premier home run threats for the Bronco offense, ranking second behind Allison with six home runs.
Streaks to be Extended
Junior
Jesse Forestell heads into the 2018 season with a team-high eight-game hitting streak while Smith enters the season having reached base safely in three straight.
Double Digit Runs
WMU registered six games of at least 10 runs or more last season. WMU scored a season-high 15 runs on May 14 for a 15-7 road victory over Bowling Green.
Tanner Allison Did It All in 2017
Tanner Allison led the Broncos in nearly every statistical category en route to being named MAC Player of the Year, the first Bronco to earn POTY honors since 1990. Allison was then selected in the 19
th round of the MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves.
Scouting Houston Baptist
Last season Houston Baptist recorded an overall record of 29-25 and 18-12 in Southland Conference action. The Huskies in the Southland Tournament came one win away from earning a spot in the championship game. HBU started the season 5-2 last year including a win over No.25 Houston, 3-2.
HBU offensively is led by senior Tyler Depreta-Johnson who hit .309 with six doubles, a triple, two home runs, 23 RBIs, 34 runs and five stolen bases en route to being named second team All-Southland Conference. Depreta-Johnson was selected to the Preseason All-Southland Conference First Team.
On the mound the Huskies are led by junior closer JT Newton who was selected to Collegiate Baseball's 2018 Preseason All-American Third Team and was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Preseason Stopper of the Year Watch List.
