Box Score

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Western Michigan staked Notre Dame an early lead and could not muster much offense during the first six and two-thirds innings but the Broncos made their last at bat count, bringing the winning run to the plate and coming within 18 inches of tying the game.  The Irish held on for a 2-0 road win on Thursday afternoon at Ebert Field.

Trailing 2-0 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, WMU (6-7) was down to its final strike when Lexi Jager reached on a fielding error by Notre Dame's (15-9) third baseman, Linda Kohan.  Amanda Gelder came to the plate and despite being 0-for-2 at the plate to that point, ripped a double that hit the right field wall approximately 18 inches below the white line.  Another foot and a half and it would have been a tied ball game.

WMU had to settle for runners on second and third with two outs.  Head coach Kathy Leitke substituted Chelsea Westenburg for Gelder on second and Lauren Fuller pinch hit for Becky Bartosz.  Fuller worked the count but came up empty on a swinging strike out.

Kyla Sullivan had a strong day in the circle, despite giving up a run in the first and a home run to Katie Laing in the third inning.  Sullivan settled down for a complete game, giving up just three more hits the rest of the way and not allowing another Notre Dame run.  She sat the Irish down in order in the sixth inning and finished the game with four strike outs.

Sarah Thomas was the only other Bronco to record a hit, ripping a shot of shortstop Katie Fleury's glove in the bottom of the third inning.  Notre Dame's Brittney Bargar fanned nined batters en route to her 12th win of the season.

Western Michigan will continue its homestand with a twinbill against Oakland University on March 25.  The first game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.