TEMPE, Ariz. - Western Michigan finished its time at the 2011 Kajikawa Classic with a 5-0 loss to No. 9 Oklahoma on Sunday. The Sooners were the second team ranked in the top 15 that took the field against the Broncos during the opening weekend of the season.
Oklahoma racked up 12 hits, scoring five runs in the win while holding Western Michigan to just one hit in the shut out. Kayla Houston, who also worked three scoreless innings in the circle, collected WMU's lone hit against the Sooners, a two-out single through the left side in the bottom of the seventh.
WMU had its best chance had producing runs in the bottom of the fifth. Meredith Whitney reached on a fielding error and advanced to second when Lindsey Harris was hit by a pitch. Kayla Turner drew a walk, loading the bases with one out. Myranda McDonald reached on a fielder's choice as Oklahoma forced Whitney out at home. Christina Pigozzi also reached on a fielder's choice as Harris was thrown out at home to end the threat and leave the base paths full of Broncos.
Michelle Bendewald led the team with a .250 batting average during the opening weekend, going 4-for-16 with a double, one RBI and a run scored. Lexi Jager led the team with three RBI, two coming on her 19th career home run. Houston led the way in the circle with four appearances and 21 strikeouts.
Western Michigan returns to Kalamazoo on Sunday in order to get ready for the first of two tournaments hosted by the University of South Florida. The first begins on Feb. 25 in Coldwater, Fla. where the schedule doesn't get any easier. WMU will face Temple, No. 6 Alabama, Central Connecticut and No. 7 Missouri.