Western Illinois University Leathernecks Women’s Softball announced on April 30 that the team will travel to Edwardsville to face Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) in its last Ohio Valley Conference regular-season series. The games are scheduled for Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, at Cougar Field.
This series is significant as Western Illinois seeks to secure a spot in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament for the first time in program history. The Leathernecks currently hold eighth place in the conference standings with an overall record of 13–29 and a conference record of 8–15. SIUE stands third with a record of 25–25 overall and 16–8 in conference play.
The Leathernecks recently ended their series against Lindenwood with an 11–3 victory. Payton Brown led the offense with three runs batted in, while Maria Luna and Rylee German contributed two RBIs each. Hannah Simpson had two hits, and Libby Spaulding earned her eighth win of the season as pitcher.
According to the official website, Western Illinois University Leathernecks Women’s Softball competes at the NCAA Division I level according to the official website. The team is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference according to the official website and forms part of Western Illinois University’s intercollegiate athletics offerings according to the official website. Based in Macomb, Illinois according to the official website, notable players include Payton Brown who has been recognized for her offensive performance according to the official website.
Key statistics highlight that Western Illinois ranks fourth in batting average within their conference at .291. Payton Brown leads all players in slugging percentage at .717 and is second in runs scored. Ruby Tarr has accumulated 31 RBIs this season, ranking eighth among her peers. Pitcher Libby Spaulding is tied for sixth place with eight wins and holds sixth position with seventy strikeouts this year.
Looking ahead, if Western Illinois secures enough wins during this weekend’s games against SIUE—which features strong hitters such as Raegan Duncan—they could achieve their first postseason appearance since 2019.
