Leathernecks Conclude Regular Season Against NDSU

WIU travels to Fargo for a three-game slate

MACOMB, Ill.- The Western Illinois softball team travels to Fargo, N.D. for a three-game set with North Dakota State. The two teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow (May 5) beginning at noon and 2 p.m. and will conclude the series on Sunday at 11 a.m. This will conclude the regular-season slate for each of the teams.

LAST TIME OUT: The Leathernecks suffered their first Summit League series loss last weekend (April 28-19) against South Dakota State. After dropping the first game 13-3, the Purple and Gold evened the series with a 4-3 win later in the afternoon. Western Illinois fell in its Senior Day matchup, 13-3, on Sunday (April 29) afternoon and lost the series. In two games played, Sidney Bottino went 3-for-5 with an RBI to lead the Leathernecks. Each pitcher on Western Illinois ' roster saw action over the weekend.

PLAYING FOR THE SHIP: Western Illinois controls its own destiny to win the league. With a series win, the Leathernecks claim their first regular-season Summit League championship since 2010. With a series loss, the Purple and Gold will be featured as the third seed in the Summit League Tournament and will miss the first round bye that is granted to the top two seeds. The Summit League Tournament will take place in Fargo on May 8-12. The winner will receive an automatic bid to the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

GETTING ON BASE: The Leathernecks feature an impressive offense, as they lead the Summit League categories in many categories. WIU boasts a .370 batting average in league play, the best among league programs. Hailey Duwa leads the squad in average (.500) with Halle Hollatz (.459), Kelsey Marlow (.436) and Meghan Henson (.400) all above .400. Western Illinois also leads in on-base percentage (.438). Duwa also leads the team in on-base percentage as she has reached base 60 percent of the time during league play. The Leathernecks have displayed impressive discipline at the plate, ranking second in the Summit League in walks taken with 39.

BRINGING 'EM HOME: Duwa has been smashing softballs all season and has been incredibly impressive with runners on base. She leads the team in home runs (6), RBIs (31) and doubles (9). She has been exceptional with runners on third base with less than two outs, as the junior has plated the runner six out of eight times she has been placed in the situation.

SCOUTING THE BISON: North Dakota State currently sits in third place in the Summit League. Jacquelyn Sertic, who boasts a 20-9 record and 1.87 ERA in the circle, leads the Bison. She has pitched 183.1 innings and recorded 241 strikeouts, both Summit League highs. Bre Beatty leads the Bison at the plate as she bats at a .345 clip with 29 RBIs and 13 doubles.

ON DECK: The Leathernecks will stay in Fargo for the Summit League Tournament that will take place May 8-12. WIU will be featured as either the top seed or the third seed.

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Players Mentioned

#8 Sidney Bottino: C/IF; 5' 5"; Junior; R/R

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

#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

Players Mentioned

#8 Sidney Bottino
: 5' 5"; Junior; R/R
: C/IF

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

#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