Who | Eastern Illinois
Where | Williams Field, Charleston, IL
When | 
Saturday, March 23 @ 2 PM (Internet Radio)
Sunday, March 24 @ 1 PM (ESPN+)
Sunday, March 24 @ 3:30 PM (ESPN+) 
(All times central)

Atop the OVC:
The Panthers hold a 5-1 conference record going into this weekend's matchup, after sweeping UT Martin last weekend in Charleston. Eastern Illinois ranks among the top of the conference in both pitching and hitting statistics, ranking first in both batting average (.303) and ERA (2.93). The Panthers are 19-9 overall in 2024, and 6-1 in their last seven games. Freshman pitcher McKenzie Oslanzi has had a dominant start to her college career, as she has picked up three OVC Pitcher of the Week awards. Oslanzi has thrown 89.1 innings in 2024 with a 1.10 ERA.

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 Western Illinois offense will have their work cut out for them this weekend against the team with the best ERA in the conference. 

Conquering the Basepaths:
Western Illinois has been proficient at stealing bases this season, stealing 44 bags on 49 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 44 stolen bases are third in the OVC behind Tennessee Tech and Eastern Illinois.  

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:
Western is back at home next weekend against Morehead State, playing one on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday.