Kajikawa Classic Information Page
Game Statistics
TEMPE, Ariz. - After jumping out to a one-run, first-inning lead and working out of back-to-back bases loaded jams, Western Michigan suffered a 5-1 loss to the University of Kentucky on Saturday morning at the Kajikawa Classic. The Wildcats, ranked No. 26 according to the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 Preseason Poll, used a four-run fourth inning to break the game open.
Lexi Jager single-handedly posted the lone run for Western Michigan in the top of the first. She led off with a base hit to center field and stole second on Courtney Rousseau's strikeout. She advanced to third and later scored on wild pitches. Jager was one of two Broncos to go 2-for-3 at the plate on Saturday, also slapping a double down the right field line in the third inning.
Meredith Whitney also had a double and single in the game. The sophomore doubled to right center with two outs in the fourth after Kayla Houston had reached on an error. The San Diego, Calif., native was thrown out at the plate. She added a base hit in the top of the seventh with one out after Houston led off the final frame with a single up the middle.
Meghan Thomas, in her second start of the season, worked her way out of two bases loaded jams in the first two defensive innings for the Broncos. She forced a ground out to end the first and a foul out to right field to end the second inning. She worked 3.1 innings but was relieved by true freshman Diana Patterson after giving up a pair of home runs in Kentucky's game-breaking fourth inning.
Brittany Cervantes had two home runs during the game; a solo shot in the third to tied the game and a two-run blast in the fourth. Molly Johnson led off the four-run inning with a solo home run of her own.
Sarah Thomas also collected a hit for the Broncos against the Wildcats, ripping a base hit back up the middle with one out in the top of the fifth inning.
Western Michigan has dusted off and is on the field against No. 11 California right now. Follow the action on GameTracker. The Bears are 1-1 so far at the Kajikawa Classic after falling to Texas A&M, 3-2, and defeating Wisconsin, 3-1, on Friday.
