Box Score
MIDLAND, Mich. - Western Michigan left everything on the field and had the go ahead run at the plate three times in its final at bat, but fell, 2-1, to Kent State in the championship game of the 2006 Mid-American Conference Tournament at Currie Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Connie Kolokithas (2-for-3), with one out in the inning and Robinson seemingly cruising, belted only her second career home run to left field, giving WMU a 1-0 lead. Becky Bartosz, dribbled a grounder back to Robinson and the junior air-mailed the throw to the fence.
The lead held until the bottom of the fourth frame. The fourth inning was a big one for the Golden Flashes as Lebowitz singled to the hole on the left side. Mandi Sayres came up lame on the play and had to leave the game. Lebowitz was pinch-ran for my Jessica Kramb. The next batter, Fitzpatrick (1-for-3), took Shumaker deep to give KSU a 2-1 lead heading into the top of the fifth. It was the second of five hits in the inning for Kent State and only the second hit of the tournament for Fitzpatrick.
Danielle Daughtry came up big in the championship game, reaching base in all four at bats. She earned three walks and ripped a double in the top of the fifth inning. She was stranded on second each time on base.
Krysten Shumaker struck out the side in the third, giving her seven at that point in the game. More impressively is that her punch out of Kim Hamilton gave her 237 for the season, a new Western Michigan record, passing Laura Stewart who had 236 in 2004. She also moved into seventh for K's in a single season in MAC history. Shumaker (18-6) ended the game with nine strike outs (239), taking the loss. She is now tied with Tami Johnston of Toledo for sixth all-time for strike outs in a single season. Johnston had held that position since 1986.
Robinson (30-11) fanned 12 to earn her fourth victory of the tournament and propel her team into the NCAA Tournament, beginning May 19 at various campus sites.
Earning MAC All-Tournament honors for the Broncos were Shumaker, Katie Niemi and Kristi Strange. Shumaker finished the tournament with 37 strike outs. Strange led the team, hitting .462 with a 1.077 slugging percentage, two doubles and two home runs. Niemi also hit over .400 for the tournament (.429) with two RBI and two doubles as well.
Western Michigan's 2006 campaign officially came to an end on Sunday when the Broncos did not hear their name called on the live broadcast on ESPNNEWS of the field of 64 in this year's NCAA Softball Tournament.
