What | 2021 Billiken Spring Tournament

Where | Billiken Sports Center (Saint Louis, Mo.)

When | March 12-14

Twitter | @WIUSoftball

WIU Tournament Schedule

Friday, March 12 | vs. Saint Louis at 11 a.m.
Friday, March 12 | vs. Saint Louis at 1 p.m.
Saturday, March 13 | vs. Loyola-Chicago at 11 a.m.
Saturday, March 13 | vs. Saint Louis at 3 p.m.
Sunday, March 14 | vs. Loyola-Chicago at 11 a.m.
Sunday, March 14 | vs. Saint Louis at 3 p.m.

Quick Hits

• A near-two week break from game competition is winding down for Western Illinois softball, as the group prepares for travels to Saint Louis' hosted 'Billiken Spring Tournament' later this week

• This is the Leathernecks' third participated tournament of the year

• Five games for WIU takes up the three-day stretch, all happening against the host team and Loyola-Chicago

• WIU is only one of two Summit League teams to sweep weekly Player and Pitcher of the Week awards - joining South Dakota State (March 8). Piper Foote and Abby Carlin represented the program by receiving player and pitcher props, respectively, on Feb. 22

Previously…

Most recently, Western competed in the 2021 Michelle Short Memorial Collegiate Classic on Central Arkansas' grounds. The team went 2-3 during three days of action, starting with a tournament-opening 6-5 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. It was the second time WIU made a late comeback win this year and its first nine-inning game in 2021. Maddy Anderson took her second season win as a relief pitcher, while WIU totaled ten hits as a team. Savannah Rodriguez had four of those, and Abrianna Gracia added two RBI. Jorja Hudson's 13 putouts were a game-high. Making a quick turnaround for game two, the Leathernecks were defeated by Missouri State, 2-0. Carlin struck out 11 batters - the third time she has ended in double-digit strikeout numbers this year. A trio of Foote, Gracia, and Sydney Hollings rattled a hit apiece.

Day two opened with another match-up that fell in Missouri State's favor, 12-2. WIU quickly put away that forgettable loss - moving on to produce its most impressive offensive showing of the year. Runs (14), hits (13), and RBI (13) all saw new season-highs in a dominant 13-4 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Carlin received the win in the circle, only allowing one earned run in 5.0 innings and retiring six Lady Lions. Kyra Kroll's three runs scored tied for third all-time in the program's game records. Additionally, eight Leathernecks all had at least one hit. Bella Alvarez and Meghan Henson each chipped in two doubles. Henson's three RBI led the team, while four WIU batters contributed two apiece. Western's 14 runs are the most in a single game since March 31, 2018: a 20-12 win at South Dakota.

A final challenge against the host team finished out the tournament, as WIU fell to Central Arkansas in five innings, 9-1. Hollings singled down the left-field line in the fifth - running in Ashley Minyard for the team's sole RBI. She and Gracia ended with one hit each. On the defensive side, Alvarez, Gracia, and Henson finished with three putouts apiece.

Staying Strong in the Summit

Foote has climbed to the third spot in batting average (.423) of all Summit League members. The sophomore also rests at the top for runs scored (9). Over in the pitching column, Rodriguez and Anderson rank second and third in ERA, with 1.45 and 1.75, respectively. Carlin has struck out 47 batters, the third-highest total in the league.

The Scout

Saint Louis is 1-7 on the season, coming off of the Saluki Invitational this past weekend… Gabbie Kowalik has been the top Billiken in both batting average (.750) and slugging percentage (2.00)… Kat Lane leads with hits (12) and runs scored (7)… Sadie Wise is up to 61 putouts in 63 chances… pitcher Aubrey Hacke holds a 3.41 ERA… Alyssa Chavez and Maria Connell have each added five RBI and a homer.

This will be the third total meeting between Loyola-Chicago (2-9) and WIU in 2021… Western swept the Ramblers 2-0 back in mid-February during the DePaul Dome Tournament… Three members have recorded nine hits apiece… Nova Sinskul is included in that hitting trio and also leads Loyola with five RBI… Jocelyn Currie has tallied a team-leading six runs scored, along with four hits… Sydney Ruggles has made the most starts in the circle (6), retiring 34 batters and carrying a 3.08 ERA.