KALAMAZOO, Mich. –  The Western Michigan baseball team has a busy week in store, beginning with a pair of non-conference battles against Valparaiso. The Broncos and Crusaders will play at 3:00 p.m. inside Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field Tuesday, May 8 before battling again in Valparaiso, Ind. on Wednesday.

Game Information
Tuesday, May 8
Valparaiso Crusaders (15-27, 5-10 MVC) vs. Western Michigan Broncos (20-21, 9-10 MAC)
3:00 p.m. | Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field | LIVE STATS

Wednesday, May 8
Western Michigan Broncos at Valparaiso Crusaders
2:00 p.m. | Emory G. Bauer Field | LIVE STATS | AUDIO (Valparaiso broadcast)

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Scouting the Broncos
Western Michigan has an overall record of 20-21 and 9-10 in Mid-American Conference play. Last weekend, the Broncos dropped two of three to Miami despite the Bronco pitching staff holding the RedHawks to a .202 batting average.  

20 Wins Once Again
Western Michigan has now recorded 20 wins for the fifth straight season and the seventh time under head coach Billy Gernon. It's the first time WMU has had five straight seasons of 20-plus wins since recording nine straight from 1998 to 2006.

Final Home Game for the Broncos
Western Michigan plays host to Valparaiso on Tuesday, May 8 in the final home game of the regular season. The Broncos are 7-11 at home this season.

Piechota With One Final Gem on the Home Mound
Senior LHP Jacob Piechota threw a gem in his final start on the mound at Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field against Miami on Sunday.  Piechota went seven innings, allowing one run on one hit while striking out a career-high 13 batters. The Batavia, Ill., native held Miami hitless through the first 5.2 innings.

Offensive Performance vs. Northwestern
The Broncos had a near record breaking performance last week against Northwestern. WMU scored 26 runs on 21 hits to defeat the Wildcats, 26-15. With 26 runs, the Broncos were two runs shy of the school record of 28 set back in 1988. The Brown & Gold scored 15 runs in one inning against NU, the second most in an inning in school history and just six shy of the NCAA record.

Scouting Valparaiso
The Crusaders head into the midweek match-up with an overall record of 15-27 and 5-10 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Last weekend the Crusaders were swept by Missouri State at home and are currently riding a four-game losing streak.

Offensively, Valpo is led by Blake Billinger who leads the team in hits (62), doubles (21) and RBIs (36). Both Sam Saikin and Giovanni Garbella lead the Crusaders with seven home runs.