Softball Heads to Ohio and Akron for MAC Action

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BACK TO THE MAC: After sweeping a mid-week, non-conference doubleheader at IPFW (April 1), the Eastern Michigan University softball team (13-18, 1-3 MAC) returns to conference action this weekend. First up for the Eagles is a trip to Ohio University, with the two teams squaring off in a doubleheader Friday, April 3 at 1 p.m. EMU will stay in the Buckeye State, then traveling to the University of Akron for single games. The Zips and Eagles will first play Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.m. with the series finale set for Sunday, April 5 at 1 p.m.

BOBCAT REPORT: Ohio enters Friday's doubleheader with a 10-15 overall record and an 0-4 MAC mark, coming off a mid-week doubleheader sweep of Dayton. The 'Cats have played only two games at home before hosting EMU and then Central Michigan this weekend. OU features four players who are hitting over .300, led by Melissa Bonner's .397 average to go along with seven doubles and 16 RBI. Emily Wethington leads the way in the circle with a 6-10 record and 4.64 ERA. EMU swept both games from Ohio last year (8-0 and 3-2) and leads the all-time series, 48-23.

ABOUT THE ZIPS: Prior to hosting EMU in single games this weekend, Akron will welcome Central Michigan to Lee Jackson Field for a doubleheader. The Zips enter weekend play with an 18-13 overall record and a 1-3 MAC record. Akron leads the MAC in both team batting, hitting .285, and team pitching, with a 2.12 ERA. Senior outfielder Lisa McClean is batting .333 on the year, while leading the conference in hits per game (1.13) and stolen bases per game (.84). Heather Bauer is the Zips' leading pitcher with a 10-5 record and a 1.72 ERA. She has a MAC-best six shutouts on the year. The two teams split a doubleheader last season in Ypsilanti, with Akron winning the first game, 7-3, before EMU rebounded to win the second, 7-1. UA leads the all-time series with a 22-13 advantage in 35 meetings.

IPFW REWIND: The Eagles needed extra innings in the first contest against IPFW and only needed six innings in the second to record the doubleheader sweep of the Mastodons. EMU won the first game 2-1, off the strength of a Jenny Scherer home run and a Kaylee Tolliver RBI single in the eighth inning to rally for the win. The Eagles jumped to a quick 9-0 lead after three innings in the nightcap, cruising to a 10-2 win. McKenna Russ led the EMU attack at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a home run and four RBI while Kelsey Greene was 1-for-3 with a two-run home run.

WELCOME BACK, SKIDDY: Sophomore shortstop Stacie Skodinski returned to the lineup for the first time in two weeks against the Mastodons of IPFW. The sophomore showed no signs of rust and continued her strong hitting. In the first game, she went 3-for-4 and then came back with a 2-for-3 performance in the second game to go along with two RBI. Skodinski leads the team with a .483 average in 21 games played.

PLAYING ALL OVER THE PLACE: The Eagles have used a variety of lineups this season, with all but three players earning a starting nod at more than one position. Stacie Skodinski (shortstop), Kaylee Tolliver (first base) and Jennie Sherman (designated player) are the only players to start at a single position. Freshman Jessica Richards has been a starter at six different positions, playing second base, third base, shortstop, left field, centerfield and designated player throughout the season.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: The Eagles have 13 wins through 31 games this season, needing only three more wins to surpass last year's total of 15 victories. At this same point in the season last year, EMU was 9-22. EMU will most certainly finish with more than 15 wins, as the Eagles have at least 25 more games on the schedule.

SPEED ON THE BASES: Through 31 games, the Eagles have already stolen 23 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

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