Softball Returns to Varsity Field For Weekend MAC Action

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EMU CONTINUES MAC HOMESTAND THIS WEEKEND: After traveling down the road for a mid-week contest at the University of Michigan, the Eastern Michigan University softball team (15-23, 3-7 MAC) returns to Varsity Field to continue its Mid-American Conference homestand. First up for EMU is a doubleheader with MAC East-leading Kent State (17-17, 8-1 MAC), Friday, April 17 at 1 p.m. The Eagles will then host the University at Buffalo (18-19, 1-9 MAC) in single games, Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

SCOUTING THE FLASHES: Kent State enters this Friday's doubleheader with a 17-17 overall record and an 8-1 mark in conference action. In its nine conference games, KSU is batting .276 compared to just .193 for its opponents. Kylie Reynolds leads the way in the circle with a 14-10 record and a 1.82 ERA that improves to 1.37 in MAC games. Leah Archual leads the Golden Flashes with a .318 batting average with eight doubles while Jessica Carmichael has hit four home runs with 17 RBI on the year. Kent State swept the series last year, winning 8-0 and 4-1 in Kent, Ohio.

A LOOK AT THE BULLS: Buffalo comes to Ypsilanti with an 18-19 overall record and a 1-9 MAC mark. The Bulls are coming off a doubleheader sweep to Pittsburgh, falling 9-0 and 5-0. UB is led by Kristin Waldron, who boasts a .389 batting average to go with 23 RBI. The Bulls have a team ERA of 2.85, with Sharon Barr leading the way with a 9-8 record and a 2.55 ERA. The Eagles and Bulls split a doubleheader last year, with EMU winning the first contest, 4-3, before falling in the second contest, 6-2.

HELP EMU KNOCK CANCER OUT OF THE PARK: The “Knock Cancer Out of the Park” event is set for April 18 against Buffalo. Immediately following the game, the players will participate in a Home Run Derby to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Donations can be made for home runs per player, for the entire team or by a flat amount. During the contest, balls that will be used during the Home Run Derby can be decorated in honor anyone who has been affected by cancer with a donation of $10.

A FAMILIAR FACE RETURNS: When the Eagles host the Bulls this weekend, head coach Jennifer Teague will make her return to Ypsilanti. Teague was an assistant with Karen Baird for three seasons before being given the reins at Buffalo this past summer.

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING: Last weekend's dramatic sweep of Central Michigan (3-2 and 6-5) marked the first time in program history that EMU has ever come away with a regular season sweep of the Chippewas. The Eagles were down 5-0 in the second game before rallying to score six unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth innings to come away with the comeback win. Saturday's (April 11) win also marked the first time since the 2000 season that the Eagles won the first game of a series against their in-state rival.

PRESIDENT PITCH, TAKE TWO: EMU President Sue Martin was scheduled to throw out the first pitch, April 7, when the Eagles were supposed to host Oakland. Due to a snowfall that left about four inches of snow in the Ypsilanti area, the game was postponed. President Martin will now throw out the first pitch Sunday, May 3, when the Eagles wrap up the regular season against Bowling Green.

EAGLES AMONG MAC BEST: The Eagles have two players who are among the league's best on the offensive side of the ball. Freshman McKenna Russ leads the MAC in doubles (15) and total bases (67) while ranking second in hits (44) and fifth in batting average at .364. Junior Jenny Scherer is the MAC leader in home runs (8) and RBI (25). Sophomore shortstop Stacie Skodinski is now leading the MAC in batting average (.432) and slugging percentage (.757) while ranking second in on-base percentage (.488)

RUSS SETS A NEW STANDARD: In a 10-2 win over IPFW (April 1), freshman McKenna Russ set a new single-game record for doubles in a game. Russ went 4-for-4 with three doubles and a home run to lead EMU to a doubleheader sweep of the Mastodons. The previous single-game mark was two doubles, accomplished 34 times by 19 different players.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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