KALAMAZOO, Mich. - It doesn't get much tougher than to open league play with an in-state, divisional rival but that is what is in store for Western Michigan when the Broncos travel to Mount Pleasant, Mich. for a doubleheader against Central Michigan to open their 2008 Mid-American Conference schedule on March 28.
SPRING HAS NOT SPRUNG ? Western Michigan's doubleheader against Oakland on March 25 was postponed due to the fact that Kalamazoo was hit with over one foot of snow this past weekend. The twinbill was rescheduled for Wednesday, April 2, at 2 p.m.
BACK TO WINNING WAYS ? Western Michigan is looking to snap its longest losing streak so far this season when the Broncos take on MAC West rival Central Michigan. WMU is in the midst of a three-game skid, which matches its longest win streak of the season.
MAC ATTACK ? The Broncos are 3-4 in conference-opening games under head coach Kathy Leitke. WMU has won two series to open MAC play (Bowling Green in 2003; Ohio in 2005), has split three series and has only dropped a series to open league play twice during Leitke's tenure. 300 ? Western Michigan still has four Broncos batting over .300 for the season and the squad is still led by junior outfeilder Samantha Vargocko at .364 (12-for-33).
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION ? Central Michigan is coming off a split of a doubleheader against Valparaiso, winning 4-3 in the opener but dropping the night cap, 8-6. The Chippewas are 8-10 on the year. Eastern Michigan is 6-10 but has not taken the field since a 12-4 win over Bowling Green (non-conference game) in Columbus, Ohio on March 21. The Eagles doubleheader against Northern Illinois, scheduled for March 28, has already been cancelled.
ON DECK ? WMU opens a busy week at Ebert Field with No. 6 Michigan on April 1. It will be the first of five home games during the week, including the Broncos' home MAC-opening series with Northern Illinois (April 5-6).
WATCH THE BRONCOS LIVE ? Both Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan will have Live Stats available for this weekend's games. Please go to either school's site and click Live Stats on the top menu. Also, the doublheader against CMU is scheduled to stream live on the web. If you are a Bronco Insider subscriber, you should be able to view the games live when logging into your account.
