KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan baseball will head to Valparaiso on Tuesday, April 3 for a midweek game against the Crusaders with first pitch scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
Game Information
Tuesday, April 3 | Emory G. Bauer Field | Valparaiso, Ind. |
LIVE STATS
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Scouting the Broncos
Western Michigan hits the road for midweek action for the third week in a row and has an overall record of 11-14 and 1-5 in Mid-American Conference play. Last weekend the Broncos dropped three games at home to MAC preseason favorite Kent State despite registering 11 runs on 24 hits over the weekend.
Grand Marshall
Junior
Cooper Marshall had a stellar weekend at the plate against Kent State, registering a .455 batting average. Marshall went 5-for-13 with three runs scored, one home run and six RBIs in the three-game series. The Traverse City, Mich., native recorded a team-high .727 slugging percentage against Kent State.
Defense, Defense, Defense
Once again WMU is one of the best defensive teams in the nation ranking first in the MAC with a .976 fielding percentage. Overall the Broncos rank 43
rd in the NCAA.
On the Reisinger
Senior
Andrew Reisinger has been consistent out of the bullpen for WMU ranking first in the MAC and eighth in the NCAA with 17 appearances. Against Kent State, Reisinger appeared in all three games, giving up just five hits while striking out six in five innings of work.
The McHenry, Ill., native ranks fifth in the MAC in ERA (2.53), eighth in opponent batting average (.240) and second in victories (4).
Power Grys
At the plate this season, junior
Nate Grys has been a power threat for the Broncos leading the team in doubles (8), home runs (2), RBIs (17) and slugging percentage (.552).
Last Time Out vs. Valparaiso
The two teams last met back in 2016 at Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field with the Broncos falling to the Crusaders, 8-4. In the loss, senior
Evan Nelson finished 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs.
WMU and Valparaiso were scheduled to play last season but inclement weather canceled the contest. The Broncos host the Crusaders later this season in a midweek match-up on Tuesday, May 6.
Scouting Valparaiso
Valparaiso heads into the midweek contest with an overall record of 8-16 and 1-2 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Crusaders last weekend dropped two of three to Bradley, being outscored 17-13 in the three game series.
The Crusaders are led by Zack Leone who has a team-high .423 batting average along with a team-high 23 RBIs. As a pitching staff, Valpo ranks last in the MVC with a 6.95 ERA.
