KALAMAZOO – For the second time this season, Western Michigan softball is boasting the Mid-American Conference West Division Player and Pitcher of the Week during the same week.

Sophomore Gracie Barstad and freshman Diana Patterson each earned the first weekly nods from the conference of their respective careers.

Barstad recorded five multi-hit games over the past week, including four straight. She also had three multi-RBI games with three against Austin Peay and two against UAB and Quinnipiac. She had a pair of doubles, each coming in a win and a home run against Austin Peay.  Barstad led the team with a .500 batting average and .708 slugging percentage along with a .556 on-base percentage.

Barstad added two stolen bases in two attempts.  Defensively, she had five put outs and seven assists in 13 chances in the field.

Patterson made two starts and three appearances over the past week, picking up her first collegiate win over Quinnipiac. Patterson registered a one-hit, complete-game shut out against the Bobcats. Batters hit .075 when she was in the circle has she gave up just three hits in three appearances. Over 13 innings of work, Patterson gave up just one earned run as she struck out 14.

Western Michigan earned five MAC West weekly awards during the entire 2009 season.
The Broncos have four honorees already through the first month of the 2010 campaign.
WMU opens its home schedule on March 18 against Big East power Notre Dame, which is currently receiving votes in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) national poll.  First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. and can be seen On Demand from through Bronco Insider.