Game Stats

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Broncos posted a two-run lead in the bottom of the first inning on the strength of Meghan Thomas' two-run base hit, and held a 2-1 lead heading into the seventh, but could not hold on as Loyola-Chicago took a 4-2 win from WMU on Wednesday afternoon in Orlando, Fla.

Before heading to the 2009 Under Armour Invitational taking place this weekend in Clearwater, Fla., the Western Michigan softball team took the field against Loyola-Chicago at the UCF Softball Complex for a midweek tune up.

Thomas was the beneficiary of a one-out single by Amanda McBride, who was followed by Gracie Barstad, reaching on a fielding error by the Ramblers' center fielder.  Thomas stroked a base hit to left center field to plate her teammates and give the Broncos an early two-run lead.

That lead stood thanks in part to the pitching of Meredith Whitney, who held LUC to just one hit entering the top of the sixth inning.  The Ramblers' Alexandra Trudnich led off the sixth with a walk and one batter later Kristin Guska cleared the bases with a triple to cut WMU's lead in half.

The Broncos countered in the bottom of the inning with a double off the bat of Kayla Houston, who started at shortstop, followed by a single from Sarah Thomas.  Western Michigan could not get either run across, stranding both runners, two of nine stranded during the game.

Loyola-Chicago came out swinging in the seventh with home runs by Angie Funston, to lead off the inning, and Jenna Grim to take the lead.  The Ramblers' added an insurance run when Guska doubled to bring home to plate Ellen Kresl, who reached on a base hit.

Whitney suffered her third loss of the season to even her record in the circle at 3-3.  She led the Bronco offensively with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate, extending her hit streak to a team-best seven games.

WMU opens the 2009 Under Armour Invitational against Robert Morris at 11 a.m., on Friday, March 6.