ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio softball team, who went 5-4 over spring break in Raleigh, N.C., and Farmville, Va. to improve to 11-15 overall, begins Mid-American Conference play this weekend in Kalamazoo, Mich., where the Bobcats will square-off with the Broncos of Western Michigan. The three-game series starts tomorrow with the first pitch of the double-header at 1 p.m., and will end with a single-game on Easter Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Series
The Broncos, who lead the series 32-25, and Ohio haven’t faced each other since Western Michigan took two of three to end the 2003 season.

Scouting the Broncos
Western Michigan currently stands 5-13 overall and, like the Bobcats, are opening MAC play this weekend. This marks the first home game of the season for the Broncos, who went 14-2 last season at Fran Ebert Field. Katie Niemi, who has started all 18 games, leads the team with a .315 batting average going 17-of-54 from the plate with two doubles and five RBI. Amanda Heckaman has batted in a team-leading eight RBI. The team has only attempted four stolen bases, getting picked-off once, and has combined for a .208 batting average. In the circle for the Broncos, Tricia Vanderslik has made 11 appearances, earning the start in 10 contests, and holds a 2-8 record. Kyla Sullivan, who has started eight games with a 3-5 record, has struck out a team-high 38 batters.

Looking at the Bobcats
Ohio, who has yet to play a home game, is 6-4 in its last 10 games. Shannon Weidner leads the team with a .309 batting average going 21-of-68 at the plate and holds a .412 slugging percentage as she has recorded two doubles, a triple, a home run and drove in seven runners. Jenny Tisevich, who is tied for seventh in Ohio’s history for runs batted in, has a team-leading 14 RBI. Tisevich also has hit a team-best five doubles and two home runs. In the circle, freshman Zoe Heim has made 13 appearances, getting the start in eight games, and has two saves. She holds an even 2-2 record with a 3.31 ERA and has struck out a team-high 44 batters. Candy Warden is the only pitcher with a winning record at 3-0. In 15 2/3 innings of work she has allowed 11 hits and tallied 14 strikeouts. The team has combined for a .272 batting average and has stolen 17 bases.

On Deck
The Bobcats return to Athens for their first home contest of the 2005 season, playing host to Central Michigan Wednesday. First pitch is at 1 p.m.