Who | Drake
Where | Buel Field, Des Moines, IA /
ESPN+
When | Tuesday, March 19 @ 3 PM
Familiar Foe:
Western Illinois and Drake faced off on the first weekend of the season, on February 10 at the UNI-Dome. Drake won their meeting against the Leathernecks by a score of 10-2 and won four of five at the Doc Halverson Classic. However, since the conclusion of the opening weekend, Drake has a record of 6-12, including losing their last five games in a row. Emma Dighton, who leads the Bulldogs in innings pitched and is second in plate appearances, leads the team in hits and total bases. Drake is not a threat on the basepaths, only stealing 10 bases in 14 tries.
Offensive Machine:
The Leathernecks recently took on Tennessee Tech in a three-game series this past weekend. In the series, Western had its best offensive stretch of the season, scoring 9.3 runs per game over the three-game stretch, including two games with eleven runs. The Leathernecks look to continue their offensive outburst on Tuesday against a Drake squad allowing 7.4 runs per game in their last five.
Conquering the Basepaths:
Western Illinois has been proficient at stealing bases this season, stealing 43 bags on 48 attempts. Three Leathernecks have six or more stolen bases, as freshman
Malia Robertson leads the team with 11.
Rylee Boone, a sophomore from LaCygne, KS is a perfect 8-8 on the year while Chicago native
Sophia Sanchez has swiped six.
Megan Leonard and
Valerie Combs are also perfect on the year, going 5-5 and 4-4, respectively. Western's 43 stolen bases are second in the OVC behind Tennessee Tech.
OVC Honors:
Leatherneck senior
Bella Alvarez picked up Western Illinois' first conference honor of the year on February 26. The corner infielder was tabbed the OVC's Player of the Week after racking up 10 RBIs, two home runs, and two doubles as she batted above .400 in an eight-game stretch.
Coming Up:
A matchup with Eastern Illinois is next on the docket for the Leathernecks. Resuming conference play, Western will travel to Charleston on Saturday for a three-game series from the 23rd to the 24th.
