Softball Treks to Muncie for Three-Game Series Versus Ball State

Softball at Ball State
Date	Friday-Saturday, April 14-15
Venue	Muncie, Ind. \| BSU Softball Complex
Game Notes	EMU Notes
Live Stream	Game 1 \| Game 2 \| Game 3
Live Stats	G ame 1 \| Game 2 \| Game 3
Twitter	@EMUSoftball \| @EMUAthletics

MUNCIE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University softball team makes the trip down to Muncie, Ind. this weekend, April 14-15, for a three-game Mid-American Conference West Division set versus the Cardinals of Ball State University at the BSU Softball Complex. The weekend kicks off with a 3 p.m. first pitch Friday, April 14, before EMU and BSU double dip Saturday, April 15. The twin bill is slated for 1 p.m.
   Live stats as well as a live stream will be available for the MAC West clash between the Eagles and Cardinals. Links can be found on the schedule page of EMUEagles.com. Additionally, fans can follow the action through Twitter by following @EMUSoftball.

FLASHBACK TO 2016: Eastern swept Ball State in last season's mid-April meeting in Ypsilanti, April 15-16. The Eagles used a pair of complete game shutout performances from Abbie Minsker and Nicolle Miranda to top the Cardinals, 1-0 and 2-0, and clinch the series. The Green and White completed the sweep in emphatic fashion, coming back from a seven run deficit to best Ball State, 15-11, behind a nine-run sixth inning.

TALE OF THE TAPE: Eastern Michigan and Ball State have squared off a total of 97 times ahead of this weekend's series in Muncie, Ind. BSU leads EMU in the all-time series by a 59-38 tally, while the Eagles have won the last three clashes with the Cardinals.

10 YEAR REUNION...OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT: EMU will make its first trip to Muncie, Ind. since the final weekend of the 2014 campaign when the Eagles trek to Indiana, April 14-15. That season, the Eagles dropped a pair of games to the Cardinals, falling 8-0 and 11-3.
   The last time the Green and White knocked off BSU in Muncie, Ind. came back during the 2007 season when Eastern Michigan swept a doubleheader. Michelle Lloyd allowed just three hits in a 7-1 decision in game one, while EMU pulled out a 6-3, 10-inning game in the nightcap. Senior Lauren Clark picked up five hits in the twin bill, including one of the Eagles' four home runs.

RETURNING TO FORM: Amanda Akles entered Mid-American Conference play with a batting average hovering at .176. Since the start of league play, Akles is hitting a hefty .364 at the plate, with three doubles, four home runs, and 11 RBIs. She ranks second on the team for doubles over the stretch, and has hit all but one of the Eagles' home runs since March 24. Additionally, her 11 RBIs not only rank top on the squad over the past 13 games, but she has more than double the number of the next closest Eagle.

FINDING THE POWER: After tying for the team lead with seven home runs in 2016, Amanda Akles has found her power as of late. She has hit a home run in four consecutive series to begin MAC play.

SLOW START TO LEAGUE PLAY: The Eagles have struggled at the plate to begin conference play, hitting just .217 at the dish as a team. Meanwhile, opponents are hitting a healthy .315 at the plate, and have out-hit the Eagles 101-64 through 12 games. To make matters worse, the Green and White have been outscored by a 67-27 tally and own a 4.81 team earned run average.

EMU AGAINST THE MAC: Eastern Michigan owns a 396-500-2 all-time record against teams in the Mid-American Conference, and has been a member of the league since 1982. The Eagles have been the most successful against Ohio, Miami, and Toledo. The Green and White lead the series with the Rockets, 57-52, while holding 50-34 and 44-39 edges in series with Ohio and Miami, respectively. Meanwhile, EMU trails in the all-time series with Akron (21-32), Ball State (38-59), Bowling Green (42-58), Kent State (33-50), Northern Illinois (25-38), and Western Michigan (42-66-1).

WINNING THE CLOSE ONES: Eastern Michigan has seen more than its fair share of one-run games this season. In fact, roughly half of EMU's games this season have been decided by one run. The Green and White are 9-6 in one-run games this season, a vast improvement over last year's mark of 3-9 in games decided by one run.

DEPENDS ON THE DAY: Through 37 games, Eastern Michigan has pieced together a 14-23 overall record.
   In wins, the Green and White are outscoring opponents 76-39, and own a .334 team batting average. EMU has cranked out 125 hits in wins, while holding opponents to 96. Additionally, the Eagles' hurlers hold a 2.14 ERA in wins.
   On the flip side, EMU has seen its struggles at the plate in losses. The Eagles are hitting just .216 as a team in their 23 setbacks this season, and have been outscored 133-38. In the circle, Eastern's pitching has seen its ERA jump to 5.20 in losses, while opposing pitchers are credited with a 1.44 ERA.

BASED ON THE BATS: Eastern Michigan's success this season has relied heavily on the Eagles' bats and EMU's ability to manufacture hits. The Eagles are 11-2 this season when they outhit opponents, compared to 2-14 when the opposition leads in the hit column. Additionally, scoring three-or-more runs has become a true tale sign of EMU's success. In 17 of the Eagles' 23 losses, the Green and White have not plated more than two runs. Conversely, when the Eagles score at least three runs, they boast an 13-6 record.

ON DECK: Following a trip to Muncie, Ind., the Eagles return home for a three-game series with in-state foe Western Michigan, April 21-22, at Varsity Field.

Softball Treks to Muncie for Three-Game Series Versus Ball State

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Players Mentioned

Amanda Akles

Abbie Minsker

Nicolle Miranda

Eastern Michigan Athletics