INDIANAPOLIS - The IUPUI softball team returns to Summit League action on Friday to take Western Illinois in Macomb.
The two teams will play a three-game series with the first game beginning Friday at 4 pm (EST). A doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday at 1 pm (EST).
IUPUI last played on Tuesday dropping two games to Valparaiso. The squad lost game one 10-3 and game two 9-1 (6 inn.).
Junior Hannah Croucher had three hits in the doubleheader for IUPUI and Samantha Bumbaugh pitched five innings in relief in game two, giving up one earned run while striking out nine.
The Jaguars' leading hitter is New Palestine native Brandi Lawson, who is hitting .383 on the season with four home runs and a team-high 15 RBI. Chelsie Hale also has four home runs for IUPUI.
Croucher and freshman Alicia Brewer each have three home runs while Julie Love and Angela Bartucci each have two.
While Croucher has shown some power this season, her best attribute may be her speed. The junior is 11-for-12 in stolen base attempts this season.
Freshman Nikki Thomas has sparkled in the circle thus far. She sports a 2.42 ERA and has struck 87 batters in 66.2 innings of work.
Western Illinois (7-13, 4-3 Summit)
The Leathernecks are fresh off an 18-11 loss against Wichita State, but sport a 4-2 Summit League record. The Leathernecks swept three games from Oakland to open their Summit League slate and lost two of three last weekend to Southern Utah.
Offense
Beth Golitko is the team's top average hitter at .406. The Leathernecks have four others at .350 or above (Megan Kelly .368, Nikki Marinec .360, Colleen Biebel .355, Erin Schlotfeldt .350).
Jamie Goss has provided the most power for Western Illinois with team highs in home runs (4) and RBI (20). Golitko has driven in 14, Kelly 13 and Marinec 10.
Pitching
Kelsey Michelini has started 11 of the 24 games for the Leathernecks. She is 1-6 with a 6.75 ERA. Hailey Bickford and Ashley Campbell have each made four starts. Campbell has the squad's best ERA at 4.54 while Bickford is 2-2 with a 9.78 ERA.
