So What's the Scenario ? Western Michigan's postseason standing depends on this weekend. Here are the scenarios for the Broncos to earn the No. 1 seed at the upcoming MAC Tournament (May 10-13) in Midland, Mich.: If WMU sweeps Bowling Green, goes 1-1 against BGSU and sweeps Toledo or goes 1-1 against both the Falcons and Rockets, the Broncos earn a top-seed. Western Michigan secures the MAC West Division with one win this weekend.
Fantastic Four ? A quartet of Broncos will play their final game at Fran Ebert Field on May 7 when WMU hosts Toledo in the season finale. Seniors Danielle Daughtry, Connie Kolokithas, Katie Niemi and Tricia VanDerSlik will don the Brown & Gold for the final time at home in front of their family, friends and fans. The foursome will be honored on the field prior to the game by on Sunday by their team and coaches.
If the Shu Fits ? Krysten Shumaker earned her fourth MAC West Pitcher of the Week honor on Monday after another superb performance last week. She continued her career year with three wins in three starts and her third no-hitter of the season in a 9-0 win over Akron on April 29. The right-hander worked two complete games to start the week, defeating Michigan State and Ohio. In her four appearances, she also recorded her fourth save of the year against Ohio, just one unearned run crossed the plate and the opposition hit .075 against her.
Addressing the Nation ? Kristi Strange and Shumaker continue to find their names among the nation's elite. The updated NCAA rankings were released after games played on April 30 and Strange ranks second in doubles per game (0.48), while Shumaker ranks 18th in ERA (0.91) and is tied for eighth in saves (4). As a team, Western Michigan ranks 15th in the country in doubles per game (1.5) and 24th in ERA (1.73).
Coming Down to the Wire ? Bowling Green enters this Friday's doubleheader with a lot on the line, needing to sweep the Broncos in order to move closer to the Falcons' goal of taking the MAC East and possibly securing the top seed in the MAC Tournament. WMU holds a 37-23 all-time series lead with BGSU. The Broncos went 2-1 against the Falcons in 2005, taking the two regular season match-ups, 3-2 and 3-1. Bowling Green exacted its revenge in the MAC Tournament, ousting the Brown & Gold, 4-0.
Hit Parade ? Amanda Heckaman and Strange lead the team with matching .319 batting averages this season. Heckaman is stepping it up in conference games, leading the team with a .434 average. Twenty-seven of her 35 RBI have come against MAC opponents. Also hitting above .300 in league action are Katie Niemi (.345) and freshman shortstop Mandi Sayres (.385).
Holy Toledo ? Western Michigan ends its regular season with a two-game set against the Rockets of the University of Toledo. The Broncos swept the 2005 season series with UT, outscoring their MAC West rival, 20-9, in three games. Toledo has the historic edge on WMU, holding a 39-35 edge in the all-time series.
Blank Slate ? The Broncos did not allow a run to then MAC East Division leader Akron this past weekend, taking the opener, 9-0, in five innings and, 1-0, in the series finale. It was the second time WMU had held a league opponent scoreless during its season series this year. Buffalo was held scoreless in two games (April 21) earlier this season. Prior to the Bulls, the last team held without a run against Western Michigan was Miami on April 7, 2004. The Broncos swept the Redhawks, 3-0 and 1-0.
