Softball Takes on Buffalo in MAC Opener

Softball at Buffalo
Date	Friday-Saturday, March 23-24
Venue	Buffalo, N.Y. \| Nan Harvey Field
Game Notes	EMU Notes
Live Stream	Y outube Live
Live Stats	UBBulls.com
Twitter	@EMUSoftball \| @EMUAthletics

BUFFALO, N.Y. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University softball team is set to begin Mid-American Conference play this weekend, March 23-24, with a cross-divisional matchup against the University at Buffalo inside Nan Harvey Field. The three-game series gets underway with a Friday showdown at 3 p.m., before the series wraps up with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.
   Live stats will be available for EMU's games against the Bulls, and can be found on EMUEagles.com. Additionally, fans can follow the action through Twitter by following @EMUSoftball.

TALE OF THE TAPE: Having lost 10 of its last 12 games, the Green and White looks to get back on track this weekend when it takes on the University at Buffalo, March 23-24, for a three-game weekend series.
Historically, Eastern Michigan has fared well against the Bulls, compiling a 13-8 all-time tally. Most recently, EMU went 2-0 against UB, April 17, 2015 at Varsity Field. The Eagles needed just five innings to hand Buffalo a 15-7 decision in game one before toppling their opponent, 5-2, in the nightcap.

EMU VERSUS THE MAC: Since joining the Mid-American Conference in 1982, the Eagles have compiled a 394-509-2 all-time record against MAC opponents. The Green and White has been the most successful against Ohio, Miami, Toledo, and Buffalo. EMU currently leads the series with the Rockets (57-52) and the Bulls (13-8), while holding a 50-34 and 44-39 edge against Ohio and Miami, respectively. Meanwhile, Eastern trails in the all-time series with Akron (21-32), Ball State (36-61), Bowling Green (39-57), Kent State (33-51), Northern Illinois (25-41), and Western Michigan (42-69-1).

HEY, HAVEN'T SEEN YA IN A WHILE: This weekend's meeting between the Eagles and the Bulls is the first time the two squads have seen each other in nearly three years. Seniors Brandice Olmos, Trisha Trujillo, Angel Schilke, and Haley Hostetler, are the only Eagles on the current roster to have faced Buffalo as they were just freshmen when EMU welcomed UB to Varsity Field, April 17, 2015.

DID YOU KNOW NICOLLE MIRANDA PITCHES A LOT?: Nicolle Miranda has proven to be Eastern's go-to pitcher as she has tossed 88.2 innings throughout the first 22 games. To put that in perspective, she has been on the mound for over 59 percent of the season so far.
   In her career, the junior has pitched 384.2 innings, the 10th most in EMU laurels. If she surpasses 400 IPs, Miranda will become just the 10th Eagle in program history to do so.

...LIKE, A LOT?: Making 13 starts on the mound this season, Nicolle Miranda has pitched a total of nine complete games. The junior is currently tied for 14th in program history for complete games per season since 1999, and only two complete games from tying her season total of 11 from 2016.
   Throughout her three years donning the Green and White, Miranda has pitched a grand total of 27 full games. The Wilmington, Calif. native currently sits ninth all-time in the record book, and is only three games away from tying Michelle Lloyd and Aimee Hamilton for the eighth most in program history.

THE FRESHMAN TOUCH: After struggling to produce hits at the start of the season, freshman Lauren Holdsworth has come alive at the dish in recent games. Through 22 games, Holdsworth leads the freshman class at the plate, piecing together 10 hits, three doubles, and seven RBIs. In fact, in the last six games, Holdsworth has produced six hits, five RBIs, and two runs. She is also just one of five Eagles to have a three-RBI game, as she scored three against Louisville, March 10.

THE BATTING DIFFERENCE: Eastern Michigan's ability to manufacture hits has been a true tale sign of EMU's success this season. The Eagles are 3-3 this season when they outhit opponents, compared to 0-13 when the opposition leads in the hit column.

AIMING FOR 200: After surpassing the 100 strikeout milestone as a sophomore, pitcher Nicolle Miranda is ready to pass 200. Miranda, who has notched 49 so far this season, is only four strikeouts away from becoming just the 12th Eagle in EMU history to register 200 career strikeouts.

ON DECK: The Eagles will take a quick break from #MACtion when they make the trek to South Bend, Ind. to face off against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, Tuesday, March 27. Action inside Melissa Cook Stadium is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Lauren Holdsworth

Haley Hostetler

Nicolle Miranda

Brandice Olmos

Angel Schilke

Trisha Trujillo

Eastern Michigan Athletics