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Ketch
George Hartmann

Leathernecks Host USD

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

WIU Softball plays three home games this weekend.

Who | Western Illinois (8-30, 4-11) versus South Dakota (24-20, 8-7)
When | Saturday (April 30), 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. | Sunday (May 1), 11 a.m.
Where | Mary Ellen McKee Stadium – Macomb, Ill.
Social Media | Instagram and Twitter + #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Matchup history: 
Western Illinois and South Dakota have played 24 times in program history, and the Leathernecks have won eight of those matchups. The sides didn't face one another during the past two seasons, so the last series was played March 23-24 of 2019. Western managed to go 1-2 in that series, losing by a combined two runs in the other games while winning 6-3 in the series finale. Abby Carlin and Savannah Rodriguez, then sophomores, both were on the roster for that series with Carlin starting in game two. She went six innings, allowing eight hits and two runs (one earned), striking out five Coyotes and keeping things close; the game was tied a 2-2 when she exited the matchup.

Scouting the Leathernecks: 
Abby Carlin started two of three games last weekend against Kansas City, and the second start was one of her best performances this season. She went 10 innings, giving up eight hits and two runs (two earned) while striking out a season-high 13 Roos. The 13-strikeout performance ranks second-best in her career, as she previously struck out 14 during the 2020 season that was cut short due to the pandemic.
 
With Carlin dealing in the circle, Western's offense needed one big hit – and that came from the latter part of the Leatherneck lineup. After Piper Foote (walk) and Georgia Rea (error by the UMKC shortstop) got on base, Torince Muczynski advanced both runners to put runners in scoring position with one out. Up stepped Abrianna Gracia, who smacked a ball up the middle to score both runners and tie the game at two. Western Illinois finally took a lead in the tenth, when Jorja Hudson singled to center with the bases loaded, scoring Bella Alvarez and Kaylee Ketcherside while putting the Leathernecks ahead 4-2. Abby Carlin came in for the tenth and closed the door, getting three Roos to ground out in the inning and holding the team's 4-2 lead.

Scouting the Coyotes:
The Coyotes are currently 24-20 (8-7) and coming off a 4-0 mid-week victory over the Creighton Bluejays. Prior to Tuesday's matchup, USD lost a three-game series to the Omaha Mavericks that was played in Vermillion, S.D. The Coyotes boast five players currently hitting over .300 on the season, while their team average of .282 sits at third-best among Summit League teams.

What's next: 
Western hits the road for its final away contest of the season, facing Illinois on Wednesday (May 4). Next Weekend (May 6-7) sees Omaha visit Macomb for the final series of the regular season, with games Scheduled for Friday at 3:30 p.m. and then Saturday at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
 
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