CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.- The Western Michigan softball team split its opening two games at the Chattanooga Frost Classic Friday. The Broncos dropped game one to UT-Martin, 9-0 and then bounced back with a 5-3 victory over Saint Louis.

UT-Martin jumped on the Broncos in the top of the first. The Skyhawks batted through the order and took a 4-0 lead. The Broncos loaded the bases in the bottom of the first but were unable to push a run across. WMU sat the Skyhawks down in order in the second but UT Martin was able to add two more runs in the third to extend their lead to 6-0.

The Broncos had five hits in the contest, all of which came over the first four innings. After allowing a leadoff single to Aspen Williams in the bottom of the fourth UTM pitcher Sara Hooten retired the last 12 batters she faced to close out the game. Jodie Duncan hit a two-run home run for the Skyhawks in the seventh.

Sophomore Jordan Kurth took the loss, throwing five innings. Kelsea Cichocki had two of WMU's five hits, going 2-for-3 with a double. Williams went 1-for-2 with a walk.

In game two, Saint Louis took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but the Broncos fired back with five runs in the fourth to rally past the Bilikens. Western Michigan had seven singles in the fourth. Marlee Wilson, Erin Binkowski and Courtney Sleeman each collected an RBI. Saint Louis managed a third run off a leadoff double and RBI single in the fifth.

Junior pitcher Anissa Sanchez threw a complete game to earn her first win of the season. Sanchez scattered seven hits, struck out five and did not allow a walk. Two of the three runs against were unearned.

Western Michigan (3-5) returns the Frost Classic for two more games tomorrow, facing Northwestern State at 11 a.m. and UT-Chattanooga at 1:30 p.m.