Leathernecks Primed For First Round Matchup With Fort Wayne

WIU plays Fort Wayne on Wednesday at 5:30 in the Summit League Tournament

SUMMIT LEAGUE TOURNAMENT CENTRAL

FULL TOURNAMENT BRACKET

FARGO, N.D. – The Western Illinois softball team enters the 2018 Summit League Tournament as the three seed for the third consecutive year on Wednesday (May 9). The Leathernecks begin first-round action against Fort Wayne at 5:30 p.m. at the Ellig Sports Complex.

LAST TIME OUT: Western Illinois suffered three losses at North Dakota State, the regular season champion, last weekend. The Leathernecks only gave up ten combined runs in the series, falling 3-0, 3-0, 4-0, but could not get on the scoreboard themselves. Jasmine Lara led the Purple and Gold by going 2-for-8 and was the only member of the team to record multiple hits. There were no pitching changes for either team in the entire series. For the Leathernecks, Emily Ira and Abby Carlin each threw complete games over the weekend.

SUMMIT LEAGUE TOURNAMENT HISTORY: In 2017, the Leathernecks won their first-round matchup 12-8 against South Dakota State. In the second round, Western Illinois captured the 4-3 victory over North Dakota State. WIU was knocked out of the 2017 tournament after suffering losses to IUPUI, 9-4, and North Dakota State, 6-3. The team has secured one Summit League Tournament championship that came in 2008.

AGAINST FORT WAYNE IN 2018: WIU has competed against Fort Wayne three times this season and has come away with three victories. Meghan Henson (.571), Hailey Duwa (.500) and Halle Hollatz (.500) all hit above .500 and hit a home run against the Mastodons in the regular season. Duwa and Henson each smashed a double inside Mary Ellen McKee Stadium as well to add to the Leathernecks' power. In game two with two outs, down in the count 0-2, and the winning run on second base, Alyssa Ealy belted a double over the right fielder's head to win the game in the bottom of the seventh frame. Ira dominated against the 'Dons, going 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA, yielding just six hits and three earned runs in 14 innings pitched.

THE MAGIC NUMBER IS 6: As obvious as it might sound, when the Leathernecks can get hits, they win. In their last 13 games, WIU has won every game it has recorded at least six hits and lost every game in which it has recorded fewer than six hits.

SCOUTING THE MASTODONS: Fort Wayne will enter the 2018 Summit League tournament as the six overall seed. The 'Dons are 3-11 in league play and has lost seven out of their last eight games, with their lone win coming against North Dakota State. Lacey Wilzbacher leads Fort Wayne at the plate with a .307 average, 46 hits and eight doubles. In the circle, Bailey Benefiel has captured the most victories (11), pitched the most complete games (16) and claims the lowest ERA (3.66).

ON DECK: With a win, the Purple and Gold will continue in the tournament and play South Dakota State on Thursday at 2 p.m.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#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

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

#25 Jasmine Lara: OF; 5' 3"; Sophomore; L/L

#27 Alyssa Ealy: OF; 5' 4"; Freshman; L/R

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

Players Mentioned

#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

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

#25 Jasmine Lara
: 5' 3"; Sophomore; L/L
: OF

#27 Alyssa Ealy
: 5' 4"; Freshman; L/R
: OF

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