Western Illinois University Leathernecks Women’s Softball will face the Bradley Braves in a single game matchup at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium in Macomb on April 21. The Leathernecks enter the contest with a record of 12-26 overall and 7-13 in the Ohio Valley Conference, while Bradley holds a record of 13-31 and is part of the Missouri Valley Conference.
The matchup comes as both teams look to improve their standings, with Western Illinois currently ranked eighth in its conference and Bradley ninth in theirs. The Leathernecks recently secured a series win against Tennessee State, while Bradley lost its most recent series to Evansville. Last year, Bradley won their meeting by a score of 12-3.
Key contributors for Western Illinois include Ruby Tarr, who batted .500 with four runs batted in during the team’s victories over Tennessee State. Payton Brown leads the Ohio Valley Conference in slugging percentage at .696 and has driven in 32 runs this season. Libby Spaulding has tallied seven wins on the mound, ranking her eighth among conference pitchers. As reported by the official website, Western Illinois University Leathernecks Women’s Softball competes at the NCAA Division I level as part of its intercollegiate athletics offerings and maintains membership in the Ohio Valley Conference according to the official website.
For Bradley, Ashley Breeding leads with 34 RBIs this season and is eighth among Missouri Valley Conference players. Kelsey Martin tops her team with a batting average of .444. Kierston McCoy has hit ten home runs so far this year, placing her sixth within her conference, while Abby Rusher’s total of seventy-nine strikeouts also ranks sixth.
Western Illinois University Leathernecks Women’s Softball operates out of Macomb, Illinois according to the official website. Notable players such as Payton Brown have been recognized for their offensive contributions according to university sources.
Looking ahead, fans can follow updates about Western Illinois University Leathernecks Women’s Softball through GoLeathernecks.com or on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
