Western Illinois University Leathernecks Women’s Softball will host Lindenwood for its last home conference series of the season at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium in Macomb, Ill., beginning April 25.
This series is significant as it marks the conclusion of home games for Western Illinois in Ohio Valley Conference play. The Leathernecks currently hold an overall record of 12-27 and are eighth in the OVC, while Lindenwood stands at fourth place with a record of 23-21. Both teams are coming off non-conference losses, with Western Illinois recently falling to Bradley and Lindenwood losing on the road at St. Louis.
The most recent meeting between these teams saw Lindenwood take two out of three games last year, with Western Illinois winning one matchup by a score of 8-3. The Leathernecks have a balanced home record this season at five wins and five losses. In their latest game against Bradley, Ruby Tarr and Payton Brown led offensively, each going two-for-three at the plate; Tarr scored twice while Libby Spaulding pitched six innings allowing only one earned run.
Lindenwood’s offense was paced by Kate Proffitt against St. Louis, collecting three hits in four at-bats during a close contest that ended with a late rally falling short. Anna Sanders leads Lindenwood in batting average (.387) and hits (55), while senior Tori Hatton has driven in 40 runs this season.
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 maintains membership in 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. Notable players include Payton Brown, who leads both her team and conference statistically according to the official website.
Key statistics show that Western Illinois ranks third in team batting average within their conference (.290). Payton Brown leads all OVC players with a .703 slugging percentage and has scored more runs than any other player (34). Ruby Tarr is seventh among OVC players for RBIs (31), while Libby Spaulding is tied for sixth place in wins (7) and also ranks sixth for strikeouts (68).
As both teams prepare for this important series, fans can follow updates on GoLeathernecks.com or through social media platforms managed by Western Illinois University.
