CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Western Michigan softball team picked up its first win of the 2011 season in the first game of a doubleheader against Maine on Tuesday afternoon on the strength of Kayla Houston's home run in the bottom of the fifth inning and Gracie Barstad's offensive performance.

Houston was instrumental in the Broncos' win both in the batter's box and in the circle as the right-hander threw a one-hitter and struck out a 11 to earn her first victory of 2011.  She gave up a double to lead off the game and two walks as well in the top of the first but allowed only two base runners the rest of the way.

Trailing 1-0 in the fifth, Houston launched a shot to straight away center field to tie the game.  Courtney Rousseau followed with a base hits to left and was driven in on Barstad's double to the left center field gap.

In game two, Maine overcame three errors to win, 3-2.  The Broncos opened the game with a run in the first.  Barstad registered her second double of the day and later scored on Tara Buchanan's base hit to center.

After Maine tied the game in the fourth, WMU took the lead back in the top of the eighth when Michelle Bendewald singled to score Lexi Jager, who had reached on an error.  Maine won the game on back-to-back hits in the home half of the frame to earn the split.

Barstad was impressive offensively, going 5-for-7 with a pair of doubles, a run scored and an RBI.  Jager was 3-for-7 on the day as was Rousseau.

Western Michigan plays a single game against South Florida on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. before opening the USF Tournament this weekend.