Leathernecks Play Host To Missouri

It will be the first visit for the Tigers since 2015

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MACOMB, Ill. –The Western Illinois softball team welcomes Missouri to Mary Ellen McKee Stadium on Wednesday (April 24) for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. The contests will conclude the Leathernecks' non-league slate for the 2018 season.

LAST TIME OUT: On Satruday, after winning its eighth contest in a row, 5-1, the Western Illinois softball team dropped its second game of the afternoon against Omaha 1-0. Emily Ira and Abby Carlin each tossed complete games against the Mavericks in the doubleheader. In game one, Ira was impressive in the circle, as she won her second game of the week and eighth of the season. In seven innings of work, she struck out 10 batters, while only walking one, and gave up only four hits. In game two, the Mavericks took the lead in the first inning 1-0, but WIU could not find a way to plate a run to recover, dropping its first league game of the season. The Purple and Gold only managed four hits in the contest, with the last one being a pinch-hit single by Madison Boone. Carlin finished her seven innings of work with two strikeouts and one walk. In the rubber match, Emily Ira pitched her fifth-straight complete game, striking out six Mavericks and only allowing two hits. Ira's no-hit bid was ended in the seventh inning with an out. It was the second time this week Ira had pitched more than six innings of hitless softball. She was impressive at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

SETTING THE STANDARD: The Leathernecks boast a 8-1 record in Summit League play so far this season after series sweeps of South Dakota and Fort Wayne, while also winning the series against Omaha. South Dakota State sits in second place at 8-3 in the league, while the North Dakota State Bison round out the top-3 with a 5-2 record. The Leathernecks also lead the league in many categories in league play. Hitting the ball at a .382 clip in league play, WIU is the leader among Summit League teams in batting average, while also sitting atop the Summit in on-base percentage (.443) and slugging percentage (.581).

THE PERFECT PAIR: Hailey Duwa and Halle Hollatz are Western's pair of players that are batting above .500 in league play. Duwa is batting at a .533 clip with 16 hits and 16 RBIs. Hollatz is at an even .500 with 15 hits and 8 RBIs. Duwa's 16 RBIs rank third among Summit League players in league play. Duwa and Marlow each rank in the top-3 in batting average in The Summit League in second (Duwa) and third (Hollatz). Each of those Leathernecks claim the same ranking in on-base percentage, as Duwa's .611 ranks second while Hollatz's .529 percentage is third. Kelsey Marlow rounds out the top-4 with a .528 on-base percentage.

RECENTLY AGAINST THE TIGERS: The Leathernecks trail in the all-time series 5-38 with their last win coming in 2007 against Missouri. Western Illinois have dropped 18-straight against the Tigers. Last season, the Purple and Gold were close, only falling 6-5. The last time that Western Illinois played host to Missouri was April 15, 2015.

SIT BACK AND STRIKE OUT: Emily Ira has been a machine throwing strikes so far this season. The junior ranks 25th in the NCAA in strikeout-to-walk ratio, sitting down 5.26 batters her each one she walks. This figure also ranks first in The Summit League.

FLASHING THE LEATHER: The Leathernecks have been incredibly impressive in the field. The Purple and Gold rank first in The Summit League in fielding percentage (.975) and 17th in the nation among 296 Division I softball programs.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS : Missouri comes into the contests with an even .500 record, sitting at 24-24. The Tigers are 6-14 in the SEC and just 3-11 away from home. Missouri is ked by Amanda Sanchez, who is batting .389 with 49 hits, 10 home runs and eight doubles. In the circle, Lauren Rice leads the Tigers in innings pitched with 121 frames of work. She boasts a 3.53 ERA and has fanned 73 batters.

ON DECK: The Leathernecks welcome South Dakota State to Macomb on April 28 and 29. The series will feature the top-2 teams in The Summit League.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Hailey Duwa: IF; 5' 10"; Junior; L/R

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

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

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

#5 Hailey Duwa
: 5' 10"; Junior; L/R
: IF

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

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

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

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

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