KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan softball returns to its home field on Friday and Saturday for an Easter weekend special against the visiting Akron Zips. First pitch in game one of the doubleheader on April 15 is set for 1 p.m. with game two beginning 30 minutes after the game ends. Saturday's start time is also 1 p.m., and all three games will feature a stream as well as live scoring.
 
ANECDOTES ON AKRON (12-22, 7-6 MAC)
The Zips come to town following a pair of wins over the Toledo Rockets with the series finale postponed. Akron collected 6-5 and 11-8 victories in Sunday's doubleheader on its home field thanks to a go-ahead bomb in the top of the sixth in game one, and held off a Rocket comeback effort to hold on in game two.

At the plate, UA has been ushered by the bat of sophomore infielder Jaiden Bryant, who posts an average of .297 with 22 hits, seven home runs, 17 runs batted in, and a slugging percentage of .635 so far this year. Redshirt sophomore outfielder Molly McChesney provides some consistent hitting for the Zips as well, batting .372 with 35 hits and a team-high on-base percentage of .416.

On the bump, junior Lexie Petrof serves as Akron's number one, posting a 5-7 record in 20 appearances and 17 starts. In 73.2 innings pitched, Petrof has gone the distance four different times in addition to 56 strikeouts and an opposing batting average of .249. Redshirt junior pitcher Alexa DiFeo also provides a good option for the Akron coaching staff with a 4-3 record in 19 appearances and two starts. Throughout her 42.2 innings pitched, DiFeo has registered 48 punch-outs and a pair of saves while keeping opposing bats to a .223 average.
 
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM WESTERN MICHIGAN (14-23, 4-7 MAC)
The Broncos return to Kalamazoo following a tough 6-4 defeat at the hands of the Michigan State Spartans from East Lansing this past Wednesday. WMU rallied for all four runs in the top of inning number seven, but could not complete the comeback effort.

Senior pitcher Reily Galloway leads the Broncos in the box, hitting .305 with 32 hits, six homeruns, 20 RBI's, 13 runs scored, and a slugging percentage of .533 on the year. Sophomore infielder Cassidy Brendtke has also been a consistent source of offense for Western Michigan, posting a .271 average with 29 hits, a pair of homeruns, 15 RBI's, 12 runs scored, and a .421 slugging percentage on top of a team-high 10 doubles. Junior infielder Alyssa Kramer provides some power as well, batting .233 with six homers of her own, 24 hits, 20 RBI's, and 16 runs scored to go along with a .427 slugging percentage.

In the circle, Western Michigan has been charged by Reily Galloway, who posts a 2.23 ERA with a 9-12 record in 23 appearances and 20 starts. Across 119.1 innings pitched, Galloway has piled up 172 K's so far this season, which is good for second in the MAC. Furthermore, she has gone the distance for 14 complete games, and holds hitters to a .195 average on the year.
Sophomore Rissa Bajusz provides a solid option at pitcher as well, posting five wins in 18 appearances and 14 starts. In 80.1 innings pitched, Bajusz has recorded 67 punch-outs and a total of seven complete games this season in addition to two shutouts.
 
ON THE HORIZON
Following this weekend's battle with Akron, the Broncos head back out on the road for some mid-week MACtion with the Ball State Cardinals, slated for a 3 p.m. single-game matchup on Tuesday, April 19 with a doubleheader to follow the next day beginning at 1 p.m. Tuesday's game will be available for streaming via ESPN+, and all three games will feature live scoring.

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