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Softball Travels to Western Kentucky for First Outdoor Series

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

The Leathernecks will play outside for the first time this season with a three-game road series against the Hilltoppers

MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois softball team continues the 2019 campaign with a three-game series at Western Kentucky Feb. 16-17. The Leathernecks face the Hilltoppers in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday followed by the series final at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

LAST TIME OUT: The Leathernecks began their season by going 3-2 last weekend at the Total Control Sports Invitational in Rosemont, including two wins against IUPUI and a convincing 7-1 decision over Butler.
 
COACH GOLITKO'S THOUGHTS: "Can't wait for this weekend to finally be outside," head coach Beth Golitko said. "We've been working on minor adjustments from last weekend while still growing on our strengths. This will be a great weekend to see how we handle a three-game series and will help us get ready for the Summit League."
 
WHO HAD A HOT START AT THE PLATE: Jasmine Lara posted a team best .438 batting average (7-for-16) with two RBI over the weekend. Payton Abbott led the team with six RBI during the five-game stretch featuring one home run and a double. Hailey Duwa had a good eye drawing four walks and batting .333 (4-for-12) with a long ball and five RBI. Sydney Hollings collected a pair of triples and a pair of RBI at the Total Control Sports Invitational.
 
WE HAVE THE POWER: Four Leathernecks hit the ball out of the park last weekend, highlighted by three homers in the season opener versus IUPUI when Aly Compton, Duwa and Abbott all rounded the bases. Meghan Henson
 
FRESHMAN DEBUTS: Savannah Rodriguez pitched eight innings only allowing one run with seven strikeouts in her collegiate pitching debut against Green Bay. In that same game against the Phoenix, Danielle Olson delivered a go-ahead base hit down the right field line in the ninth inning. Kyra Kroll started in one game and scored two runs as a pinch runner.
 
FREE SOFTBALL: Not one, but two opening weekend games went to extra innings. First against IUPUI, the Leathernecks won 4-2 behind Abbott's relief pitching and go-ahead two-run dinger in the top of the eighth. The next day versus Green Bay, Western surrendered two late leads in a 4-3 loss after nine innings of play.

SCOUTING THE HILLTOPPERS: Western Kentucky is off to a 4-1 start after only losing to #17 Auburn at the Sand Dollar Classic. The Hilltoppers finished with a winning 28-26 campaign in 2018 and a 10-13 record in Conference USA.

LOOKING AHEAD: WIU travels to Marin, Tenn., for a three-game series at UT Martin Feb. 23-24.
 
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