MACOMB, Ill. – A true test of the progress the team has made this season, the IUPUI softball team (15-22, 5-1) will have a big test in a potentially crucial series with Western Illinois (16-23, 7-2) on the road this weekend (April 14-15), beginning Friday at 4 p.m. EST. The Jags and Leathernecks are currently the first and second-place teams in the Summit League standings, respectively.
The Jags have sent shockwaves through the Summit League this season, as IUPUI has ignored preseason predictions in positing five wins in six opportunities against league opponents. Their victories include a stunning series win over North Dakota State, the first time IUPUI has taken a series from NDSU since the 2010 season. The first victory snapped a 36-game league winning streak by the Bison, as IUPUI was comically voted to finish second-to-last in the Summit League preseason polls. Last season, IUPUI advanced to its first-ever Summit League Tournament Championship game, eventually losing in the finale to North Dakota State.
This season, the Jags are sporting a team .273 batting average as four players are hitting above .300.
Taylor Chitwood has led the charge with a .342 average through 37 games, as she's posted four homeruns with 20 RBIs.
Alyssa Matson is up to a .331 average out of the leadoff spot in the lineup, while
Roni Patterson continues to close in on history with 35 hits this season and a .324 average. She's now within 13 hits of the IUPUI all-time hits records.
The Leathernecks began Summit League play with a series win against South Dakota, taking two out of three games. The team then swept Omaha on the road, before taking another two out of three against Fort Wayne. Western Illinois faced Missouri of the SEC for a non-conference doubleheader, dropping both contests. The team is hitting .262 and has a 3.43 ERA through 39 games.
The game will have live stats available online. In the event of a change in start time or alteration of events, live updates can be found on the IUPUI twitter account (@IUPUIJaguars).
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