Box Score

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Western Michigan softball allowed the visiting Eastern Michigan Eagles two big-run innings and could not answer as the Broncos suffered a 10-0 loss at Ebert Field on Saturday afternoon.  One of WMU's two hits came in the fifth inning and made Kristi Strange the program's new leader career doubles record holder.

Strange wrapped a two-out double to right center field for her sixth double of the season, which leads the team.  The hit, Western Michigan's (9-8, 1-2 MAC) first of the game gave the Canby, Ore., native 37 for her career and the all-time career record for doubles at WMU. 

Amy Daugherty (1996-97) previously held the record and had done so for a decade but Strange made a move on the top spot with last season's record-setting 23 doubles to lead the nation and a hot start to her senior campaign as well.

Both starting pitchers had command of the game early as neither team managed a hit until EMU's (9-15, 2-1 MAC) half of the fifth inning.  The Broncos had their best scoring opportunity in the bottom of the third without collecting a hit.  Amanda McBride drew a walk to open the inning as did Molly Mroczek.  Strange advanced the base runners to second and third with one out and Mandi Sayres followed with another walk.

The Eagles replaced their starter with game winner Aimee Woodrum and she ended the Bronco threat by getting Becky Bartosz and Amanda Heckaman to go down on strikes.

Eastern Michigan opened its scoring with a single in the fifth followed by a WMU error and then a double to plate a pair of runs.  The Eagles added two more runs in the fifth and broke the game open in the sixth.

After the Broncos were unable to mount any offense in the bottom of the fifth, EMU recorded two ground outs to start the inning but then scored six runs on five hits and one error, including Jenny Sherer's fourth home run of the season.

Western Michigan will shake off this loss as EMU returns to Fran Ebert Field on Sunday for a 1 p.m. showdown with the Broncos.