Softball Wraps Up Non-League Play At Bradley

The Leathernecks and Braves are slated for a 6 p.m. first pitch

Live Stats

MACOMB, Ill.- The Western Illinois softball team ends non-league play on the road against Bradley on March 21 at 6 p.m. The Leathernecks are looking to win back-to-back games for the first time since March 2 and 3 against Western Carolina and UNCW.

LAST TIME OUT: Guided by a stellar performance by Emily Ira on the mound, Western Illinois dominated Murray State on March 17 in Lawrence, Kan. in its final game of the Rock Chalk Challenge. Ira pitched a perfect game until the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs when the Racers singled for their only hit of the contest. Ashley Minyard was impressive at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a walk and a run. Aly Compton also recorded her first triple of the season, which plated a Leatherneck run.

SMALL BALL: The Leathernecks have not hit a home run since March 3 against UNCW and have only hit two over the wall since Feb. 16. Western Illinois is on pace for just 9.8 home runs this season, significantly fewer from 2017 when the Purple and Gold hit 42 home runs.

NEW FACES, NEW PLACES: Madison Boone and Sam Ralphs took advantage of new opportunities in the Rock Chalk Challenge. After only playing in just one contest prior to the weekend, Boone batted at a .400 clip while boasting a .667 on base percentage in just three games against Northern Colorado, Saint Louis and Murray State. She recorded three RBIs and a double against Saint Louis. Ralphs saw action as a pinch hitter against UMKC and started the final three games of the tournament, batting .364. On the season, she leads the team on base percentage while leading off an inning, getting on 66.7 percent of the time in that spot.

SCOUTING THE BRAVES: This will be the second meeting between the two squads this season, with the Braves taking the game 5-4. Bradley comes into the contest with a 11-14 record, and have dropped four out of the last five games. Maria Schroeder leads the Braves in batting average, hitting at a .363 clip.

ON DECK: The Leathernecks are off until March 30, when WIU travels to South Dakota to open Summit League play.

Tweet #W1U

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#12 Aly Compton: OF/C; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#17 Emily Ira: P/OF; 5' 7"; Junior; L/L

#24 Sam Ralphs: OF; 5' 7"; Senior; L/R

#18 Ashley Minyard: OF; 5' 3"; Freshman; R/R

#15 Madison Boone: IF; 5' 10"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#12 Aly Compton
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: OF/C

#17 Emily Ira
: 5' 7"; Junior; L/L
: P/OF

#24 Sam Ralphs
: 5' 7"; Senior; L/R
: OF

#18 Ashley Minyard
: 5' 3"; Freshman; R/R
: OF

#15 Madison Boone
: 5' 10"; Junior; R/R
: IF