KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan softball team (17-15) hosts Mid-American Conference opponent Akron at Fran Ebert Field for a weekend series starting on Saturday, April 7 with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 P.M. The series will conclude on Sunday, April 8 at 1:00 P.M. Admission to all home softball games is free.
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MID-WEEK ACTION
WMU had a doubleheader scheduled with Central Michigan on Tuesday, April 3 but due to poor weather the second game was postponed. In the first game, the Broncos fell 5-2 to the Chippewa's. Freshman outfielder Samantha Coffel led the Broncos with two hits.
TEAM LEADERS
Sophomore outfielder Mackenzie Swinehart has the best batting average on the team with a .368 average. Swinehart has 42 hits, six doubles and 21 runs scored. Senior outfielder Aspen Williams leads the Broncos with seven home runs, 21 RBIs and a .560 slugging percentage. Coffel is tied with Williams for lead in RBIs with 21. Junior pitcher Jordan Kurth has the team lead in wins with a 6-3 record. Kurth has a 4.00 ERA off 63.0 innings pitched, 36 earned runs and 59 strikeouts.
MACTION
WMU currently is in fifth place in the West Division. In conference play the Broncos are hitting .301 as a team and have a 3.87 team ERA. The Brown & Gold are out-scoring (41 to 19) and out-hitting (63 to 44) their league opponents. WMU leads the MAC in sac bunts with 37 and is second in hits with 262. The Broncos are third in batting average (.301), on base percentage (.371), runs scored (161), doubles (46) and total bases (383).
THE OPPONENT
The Zips are entering the series with a 1-28-1 overall record and a 0-7 record in the MAC. As a team, Akron has a .230 batting average and a 7.48 ERA. Sydney Jascoe leads the Zips with a .329 batting average off 28 runs, two home runs and seven RBIs. Mikayla Newland has recorded the lone victory for Akron this season.
ALL-TIME SERIES
The Brown and Gold lead the all-time series 35-20 with a 12-6 record at Fran Ebert Field.
ON DECK
WMU will be on the road for its next six games. The Brown and Gold will kick off their road trip with a doubleheader against rival Central Michigan on Wednesday, April 11 starting at 1:00 P.M.
MEET THE TEAM / AUTOGRAPH DAY THIS WEEKEND VS. AKRON
Western Michigan welcomes Akron this weekend, April 7 & 8, for a three-game MAC series. Game one is Friday at 3 p.m., followed by two games Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. Players will be available after the games to sign autographs and meet with fans.
2018 ALUMNI DAY
Alumni Day ceremonies will be held between Game 1 and Game 2 of the home doubleheader vs. Eastern Michigan on May 5. Game 1 begins at 1 p.m.
2018 STRIKEOUT CANCER GAMES
The annual StrikeOut Cancer games will be held on April 21 vs. Toledo, with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. WMU Softball will collect donations during the doubleheader and special uniforms will be auctioned off to raise money in an effort to support Bronson Children's Hospital. All proceeds will be go to Bronson Children's Hospital.
