WMU Softball Splits With Ball State

MUNCIE, Ind. - Western Michigan softball split its Mid-American Conference doubleheader at Ball State, taking the first game, 5-4, in eight innings before falling in game two, 10-2, to the West Division leading Cardinals. Meredith Whitney, Brittney Reist and Meghan Thomas each hit home runs for the Broncos on Saturday.

The Broncos captured game one on Saturday on the strength of multi-hit games from Lexi Jager, Samantha Vargocko and Whitney and a pair of home runs. Jager and Vargocko went 2-for-3, while Whitney was 2-for-4 with four RBIs. The drama was decided in the top of the eighth when Brittney Reist hit her second home run of the season and her second to decide a game in favor of the Broncos. She led off the frame with the round-tripper and Whitney did the rest, sitting down the Cardinals despite the home team loading the bases in the bottom of the eighth.

Whitney put WMU on the board in the top of the first with third home run to bring home Vargocko who had led off the game with an infield single to the shortstop. BSU answered with a home run from Amanda Montalto in the second inning. The Cardinals tied the score with a triple and a base hit from Lisa Rozanski and Allie Pennock, respectively.

The home team plated a run in both the third an fourth innings as well but Western Michigan's offense was up to the task, tallying a pair of runs in the top of the third. Vargocko drew a walk and Jager followed with a base hit to left center two batters later. Whitney ripped a double to clear the bases. The score remained tied at four runs apiece until Reist's blast in the top of the eighth.

Whitney earned her 11th win of the season in the circle and her sixth in MAC play. She worked her 14th complete game of the year, striking out six Cardinal batters en route to WMU's ninth MAC win of the year.

WMU fell in the second game, 10-2, in five innings. Thomas hit her third home run of the season, plating herself and Kayla Houston, who led off the frame with a base hit up the middle.

Western Michigan closes out its home season with a doubleheader against Eastern Michigan on April 24 and a two-game set against Central Michigan on April 25-26. Friday's first pitch is 1 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday will start at 2 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.

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