KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan softball team is playing in an NCAA Tournament Regional for the first time since 2003 and it draws the same opponent it did eight seasons ago to open play. The Broncos face the region's top seed, and 10th overall seed, Michigan Friday night at 8 p.m. live on ESPN.
In fact, all of WMU's regional games will air live on ESPN this weekend. Here is a breakdown of the broadcast schedule:
| Game 1: (3) Kentucky vs. (2) Notre Dame |
5/20 |
5:30 p.m. |
ESPN2/ESPN2 HD |
LIVE |
| Game 2: (4) WMU at (1/10 overall) Michigan |
5/20 |
8 p.m. |
ESPN/ESPN HD |
LIVE |
| Game 3: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner |
5/21 |
12 p.m. |
ESPN/ESPN HD |
LIVE |
| Game 4: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser |
5/21 |
2:30 p.m. |
ESPN/ESPN HD |
LIVE |
| Game 5: Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Winner |
5/21 |
5 p.m. |
ESPN/ESPN HD |
LIVE |
| Game 6: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner |
5/22 |
1 p.m. |
ESPN/ESPN HD |
LIVE |
| Game 7: (If Necessary) |
5/22 |
3:30 p.m. |
ESPN/ESPN HD |
LIVE |
All games will be played at the Wilpon Complex/Alumni Field on the campus of the University of Michigan. Tickets are available by contacting the University of Michigan Ticket Office at 734-764-0247.
Daily Ticket Prices:
- Reserved Grandstand Chairback - $12.00
- Reserved Grandstand Bleacher - $10.00
- General Admission/Outfield Bleachers - $7.00
- Senior Citizens/Students - $5.00
WMU NCAA Tournament Notes
- Western Michigan won the MAC regular season and tournament titles for the first time in program history in 2011
- The Broncos have played three teams that have been ranked No. 1 at some point this season (Alabama, Arizona State, Michigan)
- WMU has played five of the top 16 seeded teams in this years field and has captured wins against North Dakota State and Notre Dame
- Gracie Barstad is the first Bronco to earn MAC Player of the Year
- Kathy Leitke is the first WMU softball coach to win MAC Coach of the Year twice
- WMU is the fourth program to win the MAC tournament coming from the consolation bracket and first since Bowling Green in 2004
- WMU won three games in one day to complete MAC Tournament title run
- WMU boasted three First Team All-MAC selections — Gracie Barstad, Lexi Jager, Meredith Whitney
- WMU boasted four members of the MAC All-Tournament Team — Gracie Barstad, Kayla Houston, Courtney Rousseau, Meredith Whitney (MVP)
- Meredith Whitney threw 615 pitches during the MAC Tournament, including 281 in three complete-game victories on the final day
- WMU has tied the single-season record for home runs (36), which also ranks 10th in MAC history
- Five of the program's top 10 career home run hitters are on the 2011 roster — Lexi Jager (1st), Meredith Whitney (2nd), Gracie Barstad (T-5th), Michelle Bendewald (T-7th), Tara Buchanan (T-9th)
- Meredith Whitney is nine strikeouts away from becoming only the second Bronco pitcher with 500 in a career
- This the Broncos' first trip to the NCAA Regional since 2003 when WMU faced Michigan (L, 0-8) and Oakland (L, 3-4)
NCAA Tournament Live Chat - WMU vs. Michigan
