WMU vs. Ball State Game Stats

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Western Michigan's softball team did not have an answer for Ball State's offense as the visiting Cardinals handed the Broncos a 13-0 defeat in five innings at Fran Ebert Field on Saturday afternoon.

The bulk of the damage was done in the top of the second inning as Ball State racked up eight runs on seven hits.  The Cardinals, which lead the Mid-American Conference West Division, tacked on another run in the top of the third due to a pair of WMU errors.  BSU's final four runs of the game came in the top of the fourth on six hits. 

In all, Ball State had five extra base hits, including two doubles and three triples.  Western Michigan collected three hits on the day with Meredith Whitney ripping a shot back up the middle in the bottom of the second.  Courtney Rousseau bunted for a base hit and Gracie Barstad singled up the middle in the bottom of the fifth.

WMU's best chance to post runs came in the bottom of the second and third innings.  After Whitney's second-inning single, Michelle Bendewald drew a walk as did Rousseau to load the bases with two outs.  Kayla Houston struck out on five pitches to end the threat and leave the bases loaded.  In the bottom of the third Sarah Thomas led off with a walk and Jenn Tschetter was hit by a pitch to put the first two batters of the inning on base.  A foul out and two strikeouts later and the scoring chance was gone.

Western Michigan did break a 76-day drought between defensive double plays in the loss.  In the top of the first, Alicia Barkley lined out to Bendewald at shortstop.  She zipped the ball over to Diana Patterson to throw out Lisa Rozanski and give WMU its first defensive double play since Feb. 13 against No. 11 California.

The Broncos close out the 2010 home season with a 1 p.m. tilt against Ball State on Sunday.  Action begins with the Senior Day ceremony, honoring Molly Lange, Chelsea Westenburg, Meghan Thomas and Sarah Thomas prior to the game.