Box Score - Game 1
Box Score - Game 2
Overall Statistics
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Western Michigan's pitching held Loyola-Chicago to just three hits in the first game of Tuesday's double header at Fran Ebert Field. Those hits would be the only the Ramblers would muster the entire day as Krysten Shumaker threw a five-inning no-hitter in the darkness shortened second game. WMU swept Loyola-Chicago, 1-0 and 7-0, to improve to 10-5.
Shumaker (5-1) was in complete control during her five innings of work. She fanned nine would-be hitters and walked just two batters. In fact, she struck out at least two batters in all but one inning. Her team-leading ERA is down to 1.60 and the opposition is managing a .133 batting average against her every time Shumaker steps into the circle.
Neither team could get their respective offenses going during the chilled spring afternoon but Western Michigan (10-5) was aided by a second inning Ramblers (4-14) error and capitalized with a run. Lauren Fuller opened the inning by being hit by a pitch. Tricia VanDerSlik reached on a throwing error and advanced all the way to third, scoring Mandi Sayres from first, who was pinch running.
VanDerSlik (3-3) made the unearned run stand as she hurled a three-hit, seven-strike out gem, picking up the victory. She showed her offensive prowess in the second game, lifting a three-run double to the left-center field gap in the Broncos' six-run fifth inning.
Sayres started the scoring barrage with a single up the middle, followed by a Katie Niemi base knock to third. Both advanced on a throwing error by the third baseman. Kristi Strange, who went 3-for-5 at the plate with a double in the opener, was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Amanda Heckaman drew a base on balls to plate another run before VanDerSlik's shot.
Senior Connie Kolokithas joined Strange with a multiple hit game, slapping a pair of singles in the second game. Her second base hit plated Heckaman to give WMU a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning.
Western Michigan continues its homestand with a double header against Notre Dame (11-10) at Fran Ebert Field on March 25 beginning at 1 p.m. Today's second game and both contests against the Fighting Irish will be available through Video On Demand (VOD) when you sign up for Bronco Insider.
