KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan softball team continues Mid-American Conference at Ebert Field this weekend, hosting a series versus Ball State University April 12-13. Game one is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday followed by a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. during 'Strikeout Cancer Day.'

GAME INFORMATION
April 12-13 | Kalamazoo, Mich. | Ebert Field
Western Michigan Broncos (11-17, 4-4 MAC) vs. Ball State Cardinals (27-14, 5-4 MAC)

Game One: Friday, April 12 | 3 p.m. | LIVE STATS
Game Two: Saturday, April 13 | 1 p.m. | LIVE STATS
Game Three: Saturday, April 13 | 3 p.m. | LIVE STATS

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STRIKEOUT CANCER
Western Michigan hosts Strikeout Cancer Day on Saturday, April 13 during the doubleheader versus Ball State. The Broncos will be collecting donations with all proceeds going to Bronson Children's Hospital. WMU will also be wearing special jerseys to honor those who have battled cancer. If you are interested in sponsoring a game worn jersey with your loved one's name on the back, please contact Marie Foster at 269-303-6638 or marie.foster@wmich.edu. Jerseys can be pre-purchased for $55.

LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos earned a series win over in-state rival Central Michigan University with a 4-0 win Wednesday, April 10 at Ebert Field, snapping a three-game losing skid while improving to 4-4 in the MAC. The Broncos and Chippewas previously split a doubleheader in Mount Pleasant, Mich., last Tuesday, April 2. WMU took game one 12-5 prior to an 11-3 triumph in favor of Central Michigan. 

Sophomore Reily Galloway went the distance in the pitcher's circle for the Brown & Gold, limiting CMU to just three hits during her first collegiate shutout. WMU had recorded four hits and left three runners on base after being held scoreless until breaking out in the sixth inning. RBI singles by Kaylen Glenfield and Erin Barg gave the Broncos a two-run lead, knocking out CMU's starting pitcher. Barg then scored on a Chippewa error while Brooke Wyman added a RBI groundout for the 4-0 advantage. 

ABOUT THE BRONCOS
Through eight conference games, Western Michigan is .500 in the MAC at 4-4 and has came away with a pair of series victories over Akron and Central Michigan despite being swept by Kent State. WMU ranks fourth in the MAC with a .272 batting average as a team, led by a .405 mark from sophomore Sydney Stefanick. Stefanick ranks among the top five in the MAC in batting average, slugging percentage (.774), RBI (28), and home runs (8). 

SERIES HISTORY
WMU won two of three versus the Cardinals last season in Muncie, Ind., improving their series advantage to 64-57 all-time against Ball State. The Broncos also hold a 25-19 series lead when playing on their home field in Kalamazoo. 

SCOUTING BALL STATE
The Cardinals most recently fell to 5-4 in the MAC with a 4-2 loss against Northern Illinois in Muncie, Ind. on Wednesday. The Ball State pitching staff ranks atop of the conference with a 2.67 earned run average, limiting batters to a .234 batting average. Pitchers Alyssa Rothwell, Sarah Venker, and Darcie Huber rank one through third in the MAC in ERA, respectively. Rothwell leads the conference with a 1.46 ERA, a .184 opposing batting average, and nine saves. Venker leads BSU with 85.1 innings pitched and ranks second in the MAC with 12 wins. 

BRONCOS ADD PAIR TO RECRUITING CLASS
Head coach Kathy Leitke recently announced the addition of two more to the 2020 recruiting class, as Maddie Duell and Autumn Godwin have signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue their academic and athletic careers at Western Michigan. Duell comes to WMU from nearby Mattawan, Mich., where she has been a four-year letter winner at Mattawan High School. Duell has led the Wildcats to a pair of district championships including a Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference conference title last season. Fremont, Ind., native Autumn Godwin is right handed pitcher that led Fremont High School to a sectional and regional championship last season as the Eagles turned in a 26-6 record.