Softball Heads To Boiling Springs, N.C For Runnin' Bulldogs Tournament

Leathernecks to face Eastern Illinois, Creighton, Western Carolina and Gardner-Webb.

MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois softball team travels nearly 800 miles to the Runnin' Bulldogs Softball Tournament in Boiling Springs, N.C. for a five-game slate this weekend. The tournament begins for the Leathernecks against Eastern Illinois on Friday (Feb. 16) at 11 a.m. Western Illinois then plays host Garner-Webb University at 1 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 17), before continuing on Saturday (Feb. 18) against Western Carolina at 9 a.m. and Gardner-Webb at 11 a.m. The tournament concludes Sunday (Feb. 19) morning versus Eastern Illinois.

LAST TIME OUT: The Leathernecks began their season by going 2-2 last weekend, including a convincing win over Miami (Ohio) 14-0. The Leathernecks dropped contests to University of Washington, 10-0, and Bradley University, 5-4, but beat Saint Louis, 3-2.

BATS BEGIN HOT: The Leathernecks bats began the season hot, as the team posted a .304 batting average in the tournament. Kelsey Marlow led the Purple and Gold with a .417 clip at the plate, and Halle Hollatz was impressive at the plate, hitting for a .385 average in the four-game span.

POWER O PLENTY: Three Leathernecks hit the ball out of the park last weekend, highlighted by two home runs from Hollatz. She also led the team with five RBIs over in the Petersen Hotels Invite. Brooke Stulga and Meghan Henson each added a home run for Western Illinois.

FRESHMAN DEBUT: Abby Carlin put in most of the work for Western Illinois in the circle over the weekend, logging 10.0 of 23 innings for the Leathernecks. She posted a 3.50 ERA and gave up two extra-base hits.

FIRST WIN: Head coach Beth Golitko earned the first win of her career over the weekend when Western Illinois beat Miami (Ohio) 14-0.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS: Eastern Illinois comes into the tournament with a 2-3 record with wins over Iowa and Samford. Tournament host Gardner-Webb begins the weekend with a .500 (3-3) record and a three-game winning streak over Western Kentucky, Youngstown State and Hampton. Western Carolina begins their 2018 softball season at the Runnin' Bulldogs Softball Tournament. The Catamounts claimed an 18-30 record last season.

UP NEXT: Western Illinois heads to the Frost Classic hosted by the University of Chattanooga on Feb. 23. The tournament will feature games against UT-Martin and Western Michigan on Feb. 23. The Leathernecks will then play Alabama State and Evansville on Saturday and finish up against SEMO on Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m.

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Players Mentioned

#22 Meghan Henson: C; 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R

#7 Halle Hollatz: IF; 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R

#10 Kelsey Marlow: IF; 5' 8"; Senior; R/R

#33 Brooke Stulga: P; 5' 10"; Senior; R/R

#11 Abby Carlin: P/1B; 5' 11"; Freshman; L/L

Players Mentioned

#22 Meghan Henson
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R
: C

#7 Halle Hollatz
: 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF

#10 Kelsey Marlow
: 5' 8"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#33 Brooke Stulga
: 5' 10"; Senior; R/R
: P

#11 Abby Carlin
: 5' 11"; Freshman; L/L
: P/1B