The Westfield State softball team will be hosting Fitchburg State on Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m. for a conference doubleheader at the Westfield softball field.

This matchup between the Owls (3-13) and the Falcons (7-8) will be the first conference game of the season for both teams.

The Owls are led by seniors Colleen Hughes and Brenna Welch. Hughes leads the Owls in hitting with 16 hits on the season with a .410 batting average and eight RBI in 39 times at bat. Hughes had a 2-RBI double in the Owls' previous matchup against Springfield College. Welch leads the Owls with 26.2 innings pitched on the season with seven games started and at bat has a .333 batting average with a .500 slugging percentage.

Fitchburg State has been paced by junior Molly Grass and freshman Isabella Sousa. Grass has 16 hits followed by 10 runs and 14 RBIs. Grass has a .356 batting average in 45 times at bat. Sousa leads the Falcons for times at bat, with 47. The freshman has 14 hits for .298 and 11 RBI this season.

Fitchburg was picked to finish third in the MASCAC in the preseason poll, with the Owls slotted right behind in fourth place.

Admission to the games is free. Live stats and video are available at WestfieldStateOwls.com

-- written by Eric Perez, sports information intern