The Western Michigan softball team plays in its final early season tournament this weekend, participating in the Fighting Illini Invitational on March 14-15.

Western Michigan (7-16,0-0 MAC) vs. Illinois (12-6, 0-0 B1G)
Date - Time: 3/14 - 3:30 p.m. CT | GameTracker
All-Time series ­— WMU leads series, 2-1
Last Meeting ­— Illinois 6, WMU 2 (March 15, 2013)

Western Michigan (7-16,0-0 MAC) vs. Nebraska-Omaha (14-8, 0-0 Summit League)
Date - Time: 3/14 - 5:45 p.m. CT
All-Time series ­— First meeting

Western Michigan (7-16,0-0 MAC) vs. North Dakota State (13-8, 0-0 MVC)
Date - Time: 3/15 - 3:00 p.m. CT
All-Time series ­— WMU trails series, 0-1
Last Meeting ­— NDSU 12, WMU 4 F/6 (March 18, 2011)

Western Michigan (7-16,0-0 MAC) vs. Saint Louis (10-8, 0-0 A-10)
Date - Time: 3/15 - 5:15 p.m. CT
All-Time series ­— WMU trails series, 1-2
Last Meeting ­— Saint Louis 4, WMU 3 (March 15, 2013)

WMU SOFTBALL NEWS & NOTES
• Western Michigan is participating in the Fighting Illini Invitational for the second time in as many seasons

• WMU will face tournament host Illinois, Nebraska-Omaha, North Dakota State and Saint Louis

• The Broncos hold a 2-1 series advantage against the Illini and will be playing UN-O for the first time in program history

• Kelsea Cichocki paced the Broncos during the USF Under Armour Showcase, hitting .533 (8-for-15) at the plate over the five games

• Cichocki hit .500 for the week, including going 2-for-4 at the plate against Indiana State

• The freshman Cichocki led WMU with two doubles, in the same game, last week with two RBIs, only striking out once in 16 at bats