Box Score

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Bronco softball team opened this week's adidas Tournament in Clearwater, Fla., hosted by the University of South Florida with a 5-4 loss to Wagner College.  Amanda Heckaman paced the offensive effort with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate with a double and two RBI.

Wagner, in its first action of the 2007 season, drew first blood with a two-run opening inning.  The runs were scored on two hits and more runs could have been produced but the WMU defense ended the inning with three base runners stranded.

Western Michigan (3-3) answered back in its half of the first frame.  Becky Bartosz led off with a double and after Mandi Sayres reached on a throwing error, advancing Bartosz to third base, Heckaman drove in the junior catcher with a single.  Jenna Stuppy also singled in the inning to plate a Bronco run, tying the score at two runs apiece.

 Things remained quiet until the top of the fifth when Wagner scored three runs on a double and a single down the right field line to post a 5-2 lead.  The Broncos answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth when Heckaman doubled to score Kristi Strange, who led off with a base hit.  Brittney Reist capped the WMU offense, reaching on a fielder's choice to score Heckaman.

Western Michigan had a chance to tie the score in the bottom of the seventh.  Bartosz earned a walk and later advanced to second with two outs, but she was stranded as the inning ended with a fly out.

WMU will next face Jacksonville at 1 p.m.