Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Junior second baseman Amanda McBride doubled in the third inning to produce Western Michigan's first run and scored later in the inning, accounting for its second and final tally as the Broncos came from behind to defeat Miami, 2-1, on Saturday afternoon at Fran Ebert Field.
WMU (19-15, 10-7 MAC) improved to 4-6 in one-run games after coming from a run down in the third inning to take the first of a two-game series against Miami. The Broncos' offense came in the third inning and the defense made it stick the rest of the way. Down, 1-0, Sarah Thomas (1-for-2) led off the bottom of the frame by reaching on a fielding error by Miami's third baseman, Kimberly Williams. Mandi Sayres, who led off the Bronco first inning with a base hit through the left side (1-for-2), laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing Thomas to second base to set the table for fellow junior McBride (1-for-3).
Facing a 1-1 count, the Mattawan, Mich., native lofted a shot over right fielder Christine Bills' head that rolled to the wall, allowing Thomas to score easily. McBride held up at second base for her second double of the season. Becky Bartosz (1-for-3) singled to right field to advance the base runner to third and McBride scored one batter later when Lexi Jager recorded her second of two hits on the day (2-for-3) with a base knock up the middle. The single scored McBride and WMU took a 2-1 lead into the fourth inning.
McBride was also a key factor defensively for the Broncos, accounting for eight put outs (six assists) on Saturday, including the last two outs of the top of the seventh inning.
Kyla Sullivan, who matched a personal best for wins in a season with her 14th, held Miami in check the rest of the way. She allowed just one hit in the fourth through seventh innings, scattering four total on the day, and sat the Red Hawks down in order in the final three innings. She struck out two batters and forced 11 ground outs over the span of her 16th complete game of the season.
Miami (22-25, 12-9 MAC) took a one-run lead in the top of the third when Kathryn Russette scored on a Megan Mawn single with two outs. Breanna Robinson, who had three home runs during a doubleheader at Northern Illinois on Friday and has 11 on the season, was held in check. Robinson went 1-for-3 with an infield single, a ground out to Sullivan in the second inning and a pop out to Sayres to lead off the seventh.
These two teams will take the field again on Sunday afternoon in the 2008 regular season finale. Sunday will also be Senior Day when the Broncos will salute Bartosz, Amanda Gelder, Molly Mroczek, Nina Ojala and Sullivan prior to the game, which scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
