KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan baseball will take a break from Mid-American Conference play for two midweek contests against Power Five opponents. The Broncos travel to South Bend, Ind. for a match-up with Notre Dame on Tuesday, May 1 before hosting Northwestern on Wednesday, May 2.
Game Information
Tuesday, May 1
Western Michigan Broncos (18-18, 8-8 MAC) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (20-24,10-14 ACC)
6:05 p.m. | Frank Eck Baseball Stadium |
LIVE STATS |
WATCH (ACC Network Extra)
Wednesday, May 2
Northwestern Wildcats (13-24, 4-14 BIG) vs.
Western Michigan Broncos (18-18, 8-8 MAC)
3:00 p.m. | Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field |
LIVE STATS
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @WMUBaseball
Scouting the Broncos
Western Michigan heads into midweek action with an overall record of 18-18 and 8-8 in conference play. The Broncos have won four straight MAC series for the first time since 2016 and have a 2-3 record in midweek play.
Laio Grounded the Eagles
Against Eastern Michigan on Friday, junior RHP
Nic Laio was dominant on the mound, pitching a career-high 7.2 innings, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out a career-high 10. Laio became the first Bronco since
Keegan Akin in 2016 to record double digit strikeouts.
Jumping Out to the Early Lead
Western Michigan has had success in the early innings this season, outscoring its opponents, 44-26 in the first two innings.
Mr. Smith
Junior
Connor Smith has been consistent at the plate for WMU this season. The junior infielder leads WMU in batting average (.360), runs (26), hits (54), triples (2) and total bases (69).
Sacrifice For the Team
WMU is near the top in the nation in sacrifice bunts this season, ranking eighth in the NCAA with 42 sacrifice bunts.
Andrew Stone Earns MAC Baseball Co-Player of the Week
Redshirt junior
Andrew Stone earned MAC Baseball Co-Player of the Week honors after registering a .667 batting average with three runs scored and three RBIs. Stone against the Eagles had an impressive .733 slugging percentage.
Scouting Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish have an overall record of 20-24 and 10-14 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Last weekend Notre Dame took two of three from Boston College to secure its third straight ACC series.
As a team the Fighting Irish are hitting .266 and have an ERA of 5.40. Nick Podkul leads Notre Dame in batting average (.321), RBIs (31) and doubles (11). LHP Tommy Sheehan is scheduled to take the mound for the Fighting Irish. Sheehan is 2-4 this season with a 5.96 ERA.
Scouting Northwestern
The Wildcats enter midweek play with an overall record of 13-24 and are 4-14 in the Big Ten Conference. Northwestern is currently riding a four-game win streak after sweeping Penn State over the weekend and will face Chicago State on Tuesday before traveling to Kalamazoo.
As a team the Wildcats have a batting average of .317 with an ERA of 5.54. Jack Dunn leads the Wildcats with a .317 batting average. Dunn also has six doubles, 15 RBIs and 28 runs scored.
