Box Score
CLEARWATER, Fla. - A four-run fourth inning and four RBI from sophomore Mandi Sayres propelled Western Michigan to its first win at the adidas Tournament, 8-3, over host South Florida. A pair of Broncos had multi-hit games and Megan Thomas picked up her first collegiate victory in the circle.
After South Florida (17-10) scored a pair of runs to go up 2-0 in the top of the first, Amanda Heckaman put WMU (4-5) on the board by collecting a base hit to lead off the second inning and later scoring on a passed ball.
All would remain quiet until Western Michigan's half of the fourth inning. Jenna Stuppy got things going by reaching on an error. Becky Bartosz followed with a single to left field. Sarah Thomas earned a base on balls to load the bases as did Albani Shepherd, bringing home Nikolla Griffin who pinch ran for Stuppy.
A ground out by Megan Thomas plated Bartosz and one batter later, Sayres singled to bring home Samantha Vargocko, pinch running for Shepherd and Sarah Thomas.
The Broncos added three more runs in the sixth when Sayres mashed her first home run of the year with Lauren Fuller aboard after leading off with a pinch-hit walk. Sayres, along with Molly Mroczek, collected two hits in the game.
Megan Thomas picked up her first win in the circle, allowing just one earned run on two hits, while striking out four batters. Western Michigan competes against Oklahoma State tomorrow at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
