Softball Opens MAC Play At Home This Weekend Against Miami and Ball State

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MAC PLAY OPENS AT HOME: After playing the first 25 games of the season away from Ypsilanti, the Eastern Michigan University softball team will begin its Mid-American Conference season at home this weekend, hosting Miami in a doubleheader, Friday, March 27 before welcoming Ball State for two games. The RedHawks and Eagles are set for a double dip at 1 p.m. from Varsity Field. The Cardinals of Ball State will then come to town for a 2 p.m. start on Saturday, March 28 before wrapping up the weekend Sunday, March 29 at 1 p.m. All games are at Varsity Field. Admission is free.

A LOOK AT THE REDHAWKS: Miami comes into Friday's doubleheader with a 13-12 record, marking the first time in head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly's tenure that Miami has entered conference play with a record above .500. The RedHawks most recently split a doubleheader against Wright State, defeating the Raiders, 6-1, in the first contest before falling, 9-4, in the nightcap. The RedHawks feature four players who hit .300 or better, led by Jordan McElroy's .378 average. McElroy also leads the MAC in runs scored with 20, good for a .80 per game average. Jessica Simpson leads the way in the circle with a 9-6 record and 2.03 ERA. EMU has an advantage in the overall series, 40-28, but Miami won the last meeting between the two teams, a 9-2 victory in Oxford, Ohio (April 27, 2008).

SCOUTING THE CARDS: Ball State takes on Central Michigan before coming to Ypsilanti for a two-game series, March 28 and 29. Prior to the CMU contests, Ball State has a 10-13 overall record, having last defeated IUPUI at home, 5-4 (March 25). The Cardinals are led at the plate by Alyssa Collins with a .375 batting average while Jen Reifschneider is batting .224 with a team and MAC-best seven home runs. Elizabeth Milian leads Ball State in the circle boasting an 8-8 record with a 1.85 ERA. Ball State leads the overall series with Eastern Michigan with a 47-34 record. The Cardinals swept a doubleheader from EMU last season in Muncie, winning 7-0 and 5-4 (April 25, 2008).

EAGLES SWEEP MAC AWARDS AGAIN: The Eagles have done it once again, sweeping the Mid-American Conference weekly awards for the second time this season. After going 3-2 at the Highlander Classic, freshman Sarah Gerber was named the Player of the Week, while sophomore Jaclyn Caro was named Pitcher of the Week. Gerber went 10-for-16 (.625) from the plate over the five game stretch, while Caro was a perfect 3-0 with a 0.33 ERA. The Eagles have had a player named Player or Pitcher of the Week by the MAC every week they have played this season.

FRESHMEN STEP UP AT HIGHLANDER CLASSIC: Freshmen Sarah Gerber and Kelsey Greene delivered like veterans for EMU at the Highlander Classic, March 20-22. Gerber was named to the All-Tournament team after hitting .625 (10-for-16) at the plate. After going hitless in the Eagles' first game against Harvard, the freshman responded with 10 hits in four games en route to the honors. Greene hit the first home run of her career in style, knocking one out of the park for a grand slam against Toledo (March 22), helping EMU to a 5-1 win.

SPEED ON THE BASES: Through 25 games, the Eagles have already stolen 20 bases. Last season, EMU totaled only 31 swipes. If the current pace keeps up, the Eagles will end up with 45 stolen bases, the most in a single season since the 2001 team racked up 46 stolen bases.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Softball Opens MAC Play At Home This Weekend Against Miami and Ball State

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