Who | Western Illinois vs UT Martin
When | Saturday, April 11, 12:00 P.M.| Saturday, April 11, 2:30 P.M. | Sunday, April 12, 12:00 P.M.                                                                                                                                                              Where | Bettye Giles Softball Field | Martin, TN

MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois heads to Bettye Giles Softball Field to take on UT Martin in a 3 game series conference matchup this weekend.

The Leathernecks (10-22, 5-9 OVC) are looking to bounce back after falling in their last matchup against Illinois. UT Martin (22-17, 10-4 OVC) is coming off of a 4-3 extra innings defeat against Murray State. 

The last time these two faced off was last year which saw the Leathernecks win the series taking 2 out of 3 at home. Western Illinois currently sits at 8th in the OVC while UT Martin sits at 2nd. 

Junior Payton Brown and Senior RyLee German led the Leathernecks at the plate against Illinois with both of them going 2-2 at the plate. On the pitching side Junior Lillie Wools and Sophomore Libby Spauling saw time on the mound against Illinois with Wools getting the start.

UT Martin heads into this matchup after dropping its last 2 contests. UT Martin fell 4-3 against Murray State after splitting its doubleheader against  Eastern Illinois  with a 5-4 victory in 9 innings in the opener before falling 9-1 in the second game. 

UT Martin is led in hits by Junior Carly Ward who is batting .429 this year. Senior Avary Makarewicz leads them in RBIs this year totaling 36 in 39 games played. Makarewicz also leads the teams in home runs with 8 with senior Jordyn Hustey second on the team with 4.

Key Stats to Know for Western  

• Western Illinois is 3rd in the OVC in batting average at .299.

• Payton Brown leads the OVC in slugging percentage at .755.

• Payton Brown is tied for 1st in home runs in the OVC at 8.

• Libby Spaulding is tied for 2nd in the OVC in strikeouts among pitchers with 59.

Key Stats to Know for UT Martin 

• Carly Ward leads the OVC in batting average, batting .429 this year. 

• Avary Makarewicz is tied for 1st in home runs in the OVC at 8.

• Sami Scholtz leads the OVC in ERA at 2.94

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