Softball Hosts Central Michigan for Senior Day Weekend

Softball vs. Central Michigan
Date	Friday-Saturday, May 5-6
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| Varsity Field
Game Notes	EMU Notes
Live Stats	E MUEagles.com
Twitter	@EMUSoftball \| @EMUAthletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - Looking to carry the momentum of a midweek doubleheader sweep, the Eastern Michigan University softball team wraps up the 2017 campaign with a three-game series against Central Michigan University. The weekend is set to begin with a single game Friday, May 5, at 3 p.m., while the MAC West showdown finishes up with a twin bill Saturday, May 6. First pitch for EMU's double dip is set for 1 p.m.
   Live stats will be available for the game between the Eagles and Chippewas. Additionally, fans can follow the action on Twitter by following @EMUSoftball.

PATIENCE PAYS OFF: Freshman Arielle Anderson has done it all for the Eagles, even stepping in as a bullpen catcher when needed in her first season at EMU. On Wednesday, May 3, Anderson had her chance at the plate. With the bases loaded, Anderson dug into the lefty batter's box and blooped an RBI double down the left field line for the first RBI of her career.

TALE OF THE TAPE: Ahead of this weekend's series, the Eagles and Chippewas have squared off on the diamond 104 times since 1986. CMU owns a 72-31-1 lead in the all-time series. Most recently, the Chippewas took two-of-three from the Eagles in Mount Pleasant last season.
   The Green and White secured a 5-2 win in the series opener at Margo Jonker Stadium, April 30, behind home runs by Katy Wyman and Michelle Kriegshauser. Nicolle Miranda picked up the win in the circle, tossing her 10th complete game of the season, as the Eagles topped the Chippewas in Mount Pleasant for the first time since 2011.

THROWING THINGS BACK TO 2007: Eastern Michigan will honor the accomplishments of the 2007 team this weekend, May 5-6, at Varsity Field. The Eagles knocked off fifth-seeded Central Michigan, 6-5, in extra innings to take the title.
   With the score tied, one out, and a runner on second in the bottom of the eighth, senior Lindsay Schmid connected on a single to center field and junior Stephanie Sabo slid into home plate safe to lift the Eagles to the win.
   The MAC championship was the first in EMU softball history and was the second time that the tournament championship game was decided in extra-innings, as it also happened in 1998.

CHIP DIP: Central Michigan travels to Ypsilanti for the final weekend of the regular season with a 34-13 overall record. The Chippewas hold a league mark of 16-5 and are fighting for the MAC Regular Season title.
   CMU hits a staggering .292 at the plate, out-hitting the opposition 369-239 and outscoring opponents 219-108. Central is led by Allison Curtis' .388 batting average.
   In the circle, the Chippewas have held opponents to a .205 average at the dish, while striking out 307 as a staff. CMU's team ERA sits at an astonishing 1.79. Rachael Knapp is the squad's ace and one of the top hurlers in the MAC. Knapp's 1.30 ERA is a team-best, as are her 24 complete games, 10 shutouts, and 226 strikeouts.

MIRANDA MAKES THE MOST OF MIDWEEK START: The Eagles locked up a sweep of the Golden Grizzlies thanks to an outstanding pitching effort from sophomore Nicolle Miranda, May 3. The Wilmington, Calif. native went the distance, posting her seventh complete game of the season to wrap up her sixth win of the season, and 15th of her career. Miranda struck out five, her most in more than a month, and allowed just five hits, including just one over the first six innings.

WHITE WORKS FOR WIN: Freshman Savanah White earned the first win of her career with a strong performance in Eastern's 3-1 win over Oakland, May 3. White went a career-high 7.0 innings, facing all but two batters. The win did not come easy though, as the Visalia, Calif. native scattered nine hits to secure the victory.

CLOSING OUT NON-CONFERENCE WITH A PAIR OF DUBS: The Eagles closed out non-conference play the right way, sweeping the Golden Grizzlies of Oakland University, May 3. Taking two from OU behind strong performances in the circle, EMU finishes the season with a 14-14 record in non-conference games.

THANK YOU, SENIORS!: This weekend's series marks the last games for five seniors that have made significant contributions to the program over the course of their careers. During their tenure at EMU, the team has posted 67 overall wins and 22 Mid-American Conference victories.
   #4 Katy Wyman - Wyman appeared in 109 games, starting 68 for the Eagles. The Kalamazoo product carries a career batting average of .220 with 47 hits, including seven doubles and five home runs.
   #10 Taylor Wagner - Wagner has appeared in 147 games for the Eagles, starting in 141. The Marshalltown, Iowa native holds a career batting average of .265 with 101 hits, 15 doubles, three home runs, and 33 RBI. Behind the plate, Wagner has thrown out a total of 30 runners attempting to steal during her time in the Green and White.
   #12 Alyssa Huntley - After recording eight wins in the circle while striking out 57 during her first two years in Ypsilanti, Huntley transitioned to the coaching staff as a student coach as injuries ended her playing career. Working primarily with the pitchers, Huntley has helped EMU's hurlers to career years across the board over the past two seasons.
   #13 Abbie Minsker - Minsker has appeared in 96 games over the course of her career, notching 48 starts. She has tossed eight complete games and registered three shutouts and three saves during her time at EMU. Minsker has struck out 85 opposing batters, and even reached base in an accidental plate appearance back during her freshman year via walk.
   #17 Michelle Kriegshauser - Kriegshauser has appeared in 188 games for EMU, starting 184 of them. She has totaled 207 hits during her career, while crossing the plate 106 times, and driving in 104. She owns the EMU record for career batting average, doubles, and slugging percentage.

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Players Mentioned

Arielle Anderson

Alyssa Huntley

Michelle Kriegshauser

Abbie Minsker

Nicolle Miranda

Taylor Wagner

Savanah White

Katy Wyman

Eastern Michigan Athletics