TEMPE, Ariz. - Western Michigan never avoids the elite competition and 2011 is no different. Unfortunately, playing the No. 10 Arizona State Sun Devils at home to open a season means playing a perfect game to win and WMU did not as the Sun Devils defeated the Broncos 17-0 in five innings.
No. 10 ASU scored 11 runs in the home half of the first inning, all coming with two outs. Starting pitcher Meredith Whitney retired two of the first three batters but walked the lead off hitter, preseason ESPN All-American Katelyn Boyd. It would be one of six base on balls given up by Whitney in her two-thirds of an inning in the circle.
ASU scored its first run on a double down the left field line and the second on a bases loaded walk. The game was broken open by a grand slam off the bat of Sam Parlich to put Arizona State up 6-0. The Sun Devils scored four more in the bottom of the third off relief pitcher Diana Patterson.
Offensively, Western Michigan managed five base runners. Gracie Barstad earned a two-out walk in the first inning but was stranded. Myranda McDonald, making her collegiate debut, recorded WMU's first hit of the 2011 season with a base knock to center field in the top of the second. Christina Pigozzi (started at shortstop), Allie Carlson (started at catcher) and Bri Russell (pinch runner) also made their collegiate debuts for the Broncos against the No. 10 team in the country. Senior Michelle Bendewald singled up the middle in the top of the fourth.
Western Michigan continues at the Kajikawa Classic on Friday morning. The Broncos face Utah at 11 a.m. ET followed by a match up against Oregon State at 1:30 p.m. ET.
