Kalamazoo, Mich. – The Western Michigan softball team and head coach Marlee Wilson announced Wednesday, December 13, the Broncos' 2024 schedule, which features four preseason tournaments and 13 home contests at Ebert Field.  

The Brown and Gold will kick off their 48th season in El Paso, Texas at the University of Texas at El Paso's Helen of Troy Softball Complex from February 9-11. The softball team will play a five-game slate in Texas against UTEP, Abilene Christian University, and Monmouth over the course of three days. 

"After a successful fall season, we are excited to play a competitive non-conference schedule. Our preseason opponents will challenge and prepare us for a strong conference season!", said Head Coach Marlee Wilson. 

After the conclusion of their first weekend slate, the Broncos will travel to Nashville, Tennessee to take on Indiana State, UT Martin, and Tennessee State during the weekend of February 16-18. 

In March, the softball team will conclude the second half of their non-conference schedule at Madeira Beach and Fort Myers, Florida. From March 1-10, the Broncos will play 10 different teams over the span of 13 games, including Pittsburg, Florida State, and Purdue.

WMU will begin Mid-American Conference play with a three-game road series against Miami University (Ohio) on Friday, March 15. The first pitch is scheduled to take place at 3:00 PM. The series will conclude with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 16, with games scheduled for 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.   

This year, the MAC Softball Championship returns to the historic Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio, from May 8-11, 2024. The stadium, dedicated on July 25, 1925, by Harvey S. Firestone, the founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, boasts a capacity of over 4,700 spectators. The facility was owned and operated by the Firestone company until it was donated to the City of Akron in 1988 (MAC). The MAC Softball Championship was most recently hosted at Firestone Stadium from 2002-05 and 2008-19. 

In June, the venue received a $1.47 million renovation, which upgraded restrooms, concessions, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, LED lighting, and a perimeter fence in addition to the installation of two new turf fields (MAC). 

For all things WMU softball, make sure to follow the team on Instagram @wmusoftball_, Twitter @WMUSoftball, and Facebook @westernmichigansoftball.