KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Facing a 6-4 deficit, senior home run queen Lexi Jager set two career marks, hitting her first career grand slam and giving her five RBIs in a game for the first time in her career. More importantly, the two-out shot over the left center field wall put WMU in front, 8-6, with the Broncos holding on for an 8-7 win over CMU. Western Michigan fell in the second game, 5-1.
The Broncos entered the bottom of the sixth inning down by two runs after Central Michigan took a 6-4 advantage in the top of the frame. Michelle Bendewald started things off with a base on balls. Meredith Whitney, 2-for-2 during the game, singled up the middle and was followed by a Courtney Rousseau single through the left side, setting the table for Jager.
The Kalamazoo native took a ball and then fouled off the next three pitches. After another ball and another foul ball, Jager launched the 2-2 pitch, sending it into the parking lot and sending the Broncos into the lead for the first time in the game.
CMU opened the game by scoring a pair in the top of the first and just like in the Broncos' win againts Notre Dame, Tara Buchanan hit a home run with Jager on the base path. This shot, her third of the year, tied the score at two runs apiece.
The Chippewas plated three more runs in the top of the third inning, putting WMU down, 5-2. Whitney doubled for the first time this season. Jager, finishing 3-for-4 at the plate in the first game, doubled down the left field line for the first of her five RBIs on the day, scoring Whitney.
Gracie Barstad was a monster at the plate on Friday, going 4-for-6 during the two games, including 3-for-4 in the first game. Rousseau added her second double of the season in the bottom of the fourth inning. She advanced to third on the throw but that throw was to home plate where Whitney was tagged out on a throw from left field to third base to the catcher to end the inning.
CMU made it very interesting in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with two and cutting the Bronco lead to just one run but Kayla Houston was up to the task once again. Houston struck out Ashley Gilson on seven pitches to preserve the win, earning the complete game victory with three strikeouts.
In the second game, CMU scored in the first on a bases loaded walk and three more times in the top of the fifth. WMU's lone run also came on a bases loaded walk for Myranda McDonald. McDonald worked the count full during an active at bat, fouling off five pitches.
Western Michigan continues its home-opening weekend against Mid-American Conference opponents when Eastern Michigan comes to town on Saturday and Sunday. Game times are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
