CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Broncos weren't able to extend their win streak to three games, falling 5-3 to the College of Charleston to close out the 2011 Under Armour Invitational hosted by South Florida. Michelle Bendewald smacked her first home run of the season and Lexi Jager went 2-for-3 at the plate in the loss.
After CofC took a one-run lead in the bottom of the second, Western Michigan got on the board in the fourth when Bendewald launched a two-out home run over the left field wall to tie the score. Charlesotn added three more runs in the home half of the fourth.
The Broncos added to more runs in the sixth inning to draw within two runs but could not get closer. Diana Pattrson led off with a single through the left side and Tara Buchanan registered an infield single two batters later. Jager singled down the left field line to score one run and Meredith Whitney earned a bases loaded walk to bring in the third and final run for WMU.
Gracie Barstad hit .370 this past week with four runs scored and three RBI. She slugged .519 with four doubles. Whitney went 1-1 in the circle this week, striking out 26 batters and holding the opposition to a .219 batting average. Kayla Houston went 2-3 with 38 strikeouts and held the opposition to a .230 batting average.
Western Michigan gets a break until March 18 when it travels to Columbia, Mo. for the Mizzou Classic.
