MADEIRA BEACH, FLA. — The Western Michigan softball team continues its non-conference slate on Friday, March 1, versus University at Albany at "The Spring Games" at 1:00 PM. The Broncos will play a total of six games at Madeira Beach and two games in Fort Myers, Fla., before partaking in the FGCU Spring Break classic. The Broncos will face University at Albany, Monmouth University, Sacred Heart University, University of Southern Indiana, St.Bonaventure, and Quinnipiac University at Madeira Beach. 

Offensively, Albany is led by Maddi Petrella, who leads the Great Danes with a .583 batting average, seven hits, three of which are doubles, six RBI, and one home run. Petrella and the Great Danes carry a 1-3 record into play at Madeira Beach with their only victory over Iona.

As for their next opponent, Monmouth University, the Broncos will see the Hawks for the second time this season after splitting their first two games earlier at the UTEP Memorial Tournament. Currently, Monmouth has a 5-10 record and most recently defeated Akron University 6-2 last Sunday. Monmouth is led by sophomores Savannah Simons and Mackenzie Bloss who are averaging .375 and .386 at the plate. Defensively, pitcher Billie Kerwood leads the Hawks one shutout, three wins, and four complete games. 

Despite their 2-4 record, Sacred Heart University enters play at Madeira Beach with two consecutive wins after defeating Drexel 3-2 and Fordham 7-1 on Sunday, February 18, and Sunday, February 25. The Pioneers are led by senior Emily Carroll offensively, who is averaging .421 at the plate while also collecting 11 total bases. Defensively, Sacred Heart's Sam Kowalski and Emily Heath each have one win on the season. 

University of Southern Indiana carries a 3-7 record into "The Spring Games", after defeating Jacksonville State University 5-4 this past Sunday. Southern Indiana is led by Caroline Stapelton's 10 hits offensively, while on the defensive end, Josie Newman leads the pitching front with a 3-3 record and an ERA of 3.41. 

St. Bonaventure is winless this season through five games played thus far. The Bonnies are led by Kymora Wang, who has six hits in 12 at bats so far during the 2024 campaign. St.Bonaventure's Elyse Graham is also off to a hot start by batting .300 in a total of 10 at bats on the year. 

The fifth team the Broncos will face in Florida will be Quinnipiac University. Quinnipiac has played only two games this season and has picked up a win over University of Massachusetts Lowell and a loss against Texas A&M Commerce. Quinnipiac's Natalia Apatiga leads Bobcats in hits, doubles, RBI, total bases, slugging percentage, and on base percentage. Defensively, Lauren Hilliard owns the lone win for the Bobcats, while Sydney Horan posts a team high six strikeouts. 

Last time out, the Broncos split their final two games at the Roar City Invitational with a game one 3-2 win over UT Martin behind a career-high nine strikeouts from Kailey O'Connor, as well as two hits from the pitcher. After concluding the Roar City Invitational with 1-2 record, the Broncos enter "The Spring Games" with a 4-4 record on the season and are looking to surpass the .500 mark against Albany Friday.
 
Offensively this season, junior infielder Riley Dittmar ranks 61st in the nation in batting average at .476 on the season and has compiled 10 hits, three in which were doubles and one as a triple. As of Tuesday evening, Dittmar's hot start offensively has rewarded her first in on base percentage, fourth in batting average, fifth in on base plus slugging, and sixth in base on balls in the Mid-American Conference. 

Defensively, senior pitcher Rissa Bajusz ranks 63rd in the NCAA and third in the MAC with an ERA at 1.04. Last time out versus UT Martin and Tennessee State, Bajusz's 12 combined strikeouts in both games improved her career total to 330. She is now 35 strikeouts away from passing Allyson Kus (2013-16) and claiming the seventh most strikeouts recorded in program history. 

After the conclusion of "The Spring Games" The Broncos are scheduled for two games in Fort Myers, Fla. against Sacred Heart and Florida Gulf Coast University on March 6 at 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM, before beginning the FGCU Spring Break Classic on March 8. 

For all things WMU softball, make sure to follow the team's socials @wmusoftball_ on Instagram, @wmusoftball on X, and @westernmichigansoftball on Facebook.