Box Score - Game 1
Box Score - Game 2
Overall Statistics
DeLAND, Fla. - Western Michigan earned a split on the second day of the Stetson Tournament, scoring three runs in the fifth inning to take Winthrop in the morning game. Kristi Strange has another strong day at the plate, going 4-for-6 with three RBI.
With the Broncos (2-2) knotted at one with Winthrop (5-8) and one out in the top of the fifth inning, Amanda Heckaman delivered a double down the left field line to clear the bases, scoring Mandi Sayres, Connie Kolokithas and Corey Andrzejewski to take a 4-1 lead. Sayres pinch ran for Lauren Fuller after she opened the inning with a double. Kolokithas reached on an error and Andrzejewski pinch ran for Strange who drew a walk.
Strange plated the Broncos' first run of the day, scoring Kolokithas, with a double to right center. The junior finished the day with four hits in six at bats, registering three RBI in WMU's two games.
Winthrop added a run in the bottom half of the fifth but starting pitcher Kyla Sullivan (1-0) was in full control, giving up just two runs on four hits. The sophomore fanned four batters en route to the ninth complete game of her career and her first win of the 2006 season.
Western Michigan took the field against host team Stetson (9-2) in the Broncos' second game of the day. The Hatters jumped out to a one-run lead in the first but WMU answered with a pair of runs in the third when Strange doubled to right center. Her two-bagger scored Katie Niemi, who opened the inning with a double of her own, and Danielle Daughtry reached first after being hit by a pitch.
Unfortunately, the Brown & Gold's lead would not hold as the Hatters plated two more runs in the top of the fifth and shut out the Broncos the rest of the way, allowing just one hit in Western Michigan's final three offensive innings.
WMU closes out its time at the Stetson Tournament with a 9:00 a.m. first pitch against Marist. The Broncos will stay in DeLand, Fla., through Tuesday when they will match up with Stetson again for a double-header, beginning at 4 p.m. Both games can be heard live on the Internet. Simply go to the WMU softball schedule page and click on the speaker icon for the respective game. The second game will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first.
