TOLEDO, Ohio - Western Michigan took a 5-1 victory in game one before falling in game two in the seventh inning, 8-7, of today's softball doubleheader at Toledo.  WMU junior pitcher Anissa Sanchez recorded the win in game one, throwing a complete seven innings and striking out two.

Junior left fielder Aspen Williams provided the offensive pop in the lineup during the day going 4-for-5 at the plate including two home runs, three runs scored and four RBIs. Freshman right fielder Mackenzie Swinehart went 4-for-7 while senior Ivy Schaaf extended her hitting streak to 11 games. Senior Abby Stoner also homered for WMU and collected two RBIs. 

WMU and UT will return to action tomorrow for a decisive game three of the series, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. 

GAME 1
Sanchez improved her record to 6-5 with her fifth complete game of the season. She allowed just seven hits and struck out two Rockets. 

WMU started early in the top of first as senior Ivy Schaaf and freshman Mackenzie Swinehart hit back-to-back singles and went on to score to give the Broncos a 2-0 lead. The Brown & Gold pushed three more runs across in the top of the second to increase the lead to 5-0. 

Toledo scored its lone run in the bottom of the sixth but Sanchez was able to seal the victory. 

Western Michigan pounded out seven hits in the contest. Swinehart went a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs while Brooke Wyman added two hits for the Broncos.  

Toledo's Kailey Minarchick (9-11) suffered the loss throwing just 2.0 innings giving up five runs on five hits.

GAME 2
The Broncos took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third before the Rockets responded in the next half inning with five runs on four hits. Williams cut the deficit to 5-2 for Western Michigan in the fourth with a solo home run over left center.

In the bottom of the fifth, Stoner lead the Broncos with a solo shot over the left field wall. The round-tripper was the designated hitter's eighth this season. With the bases loaded, Schaaf ripped a RBI single to left field scoring Williams and Wyman as the Broncos would tie the ball game, 5-5. 

WMU took a 7-5 lead in the sixth after Williams hit a two-run homer to left field. Toledo would gain another run in the sixth to pull within one and would eventually take game two in the seventh with two runs.

Williams had a nice game going 3-for-3 with two home runs, three RBIs and three runs. Schaaf recorded a run and two RBIs for the Broncos going 3-for-5 while redshirt junior Marlee Wilson went 2-for-3 with a run scored. 

Sophomore Jordan Kurth suffered the loss for WMU pitching 3.2 innings allowing three runs on four hits. The left hander struck out six of her 18 batters faced. 

With the doubleheader split, Western Michigan's record moves to 20-25 overall and 8-12 in the Mid-American Conference. Toledo will enter Saturday's contest with a 23-31 overall record and an 10-10 mark in league play.