Thursday, March 28, 2024

PREVIEW: Michigan State-Western Michigan meet at Secchia on Wednesday

March 19, 2019
<p>Freshman outfielder Katie Quinlan (4) runs during the game against Minnesota April 8, 2018 at Secchia Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Spartans, 6-2. (Annie Barker | State News)</p>

Freshman outfielder Katie Quinlan (4) runs during the game against Minnesota April 8, 2018 at Secchia Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Spartans, 6-2. (Annie Barker | State News)

Photo by Annie Barker | The State News

Who: Western Michigan (7-11) vs. Michigan State (10-16)

When: 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 20

Where: Secchia Field, East Lansing, Michigan

Watch: Livestream available on BTN2Go and live stats available through msuspartans.com

Key players: Freshman catcher/third baseman Charla Echols, sophomore pitcher Alli Walker

Michigan State will play their first home game this Wednesday against Western Michigan, being one of the last non-conference games they will play this season. The Spartans wrapped up their last non-conference tournament on Sunday, with victories over Dayton and Miami (Ohio). WMU will play Michigan on March 19 at Ann Arbor before setting foot on Spartan soil.

After the team’s long time being away this season, freshman Charla Echols leads the Spartans with a .348 batting average while holding a 1.068 OPS, along with eight doubles. Sophomore Alli Walker paces MSU in the pitcher's circle with 35 strikeouts in 59.2 innings.

Broncos are paced by junior Mackenzie Swinehart and sophomore Sydney Stefanick. Swinehart leads the team with 22 hits and a .361 batting average, followed by a team-high 18 RBI and five home runs from Stefanick. Stefanick also leads WMU pitching staff with a 2.12 ERA (No. 3/MAC) in 56 innings pitched.

Wednesday's game will mark the 93rd all-time meeting between MSU and Western Michigan, with the Broncos holding a 47-44-1 series lead. MSU has won the previous three matchups, including a 6-1 win last season at Secchia Field. Both teams hold similar statistics when it comes to winning percentage with MSU with a .385 PCT and WMU with a .389 PCT.

The Spartans are ecstatic to be back on their home field and are hoping to beat Western Michigan for the fourth matchup in a row.



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