KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Western Michigan's Tara Buchanan smashed a three-run walk off home run in the bottom of the 10th to help the Broncos defeat Northern Illinois, 6-4, in 10 innings on Saturday afternoon. WMU had to come from a run down in the seventh and two runs down in the 10th to pick up its eighth-straight home win and seventh-straight victory over all.
The win also moves the Broncos ahead of the Huskies in the Mid-American Conference West Division standings heading into Sunday's series finale.
Trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the 10th, Michelle Bendewald beat out a ball that dribbled down the first base line to lead off the inning. Meredith Whitney reached on a fielder's choice when NIU second baseman Andrea Colosimo dropped the ball, trying to tag Bendewald on her way to second base. Lexi Jager hit the ball back to the pitcher but Stephanie Tofft threw wide of first base for the Huskies' second error of the inning, allowing Bendewald to score from second base.
Buchanan, entering the at bat 0-for-2 on the day, took a first pitch strike. With the defense playing in, Tofft offered the 0-1 pitch and Buchanan blasted it over the center field wall for her sixth home run of the season and the win. Buchanan's six home runs this year leads the team and are tied for the fourth most in a season in program history.
The two-run deficit WMU faced heading into the home half of the 10th inning was the second time in the game the Broncos had to come back in its last at bat. Entering the bottom of the seventh, the Broncos faced a 2-1 NIU lead after the Huskies plated a run in the sixth and seventh innings.
After a Diana Patterson ground out in the seventh, Kayla Houston doubled down the left field line. Bendewald blooped a ball toward Colosimo at second base but she could not secure the catch, allowing pinch runner Jennifer Tschetter to score, tying the game.
The Broncos took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth when Jager led off the inning with her fifth home run of the season and 23rd for her career. After fouling several balls off, Jager turned on a 3-2 pitch sending it over the left field wall. The home run ties her with Akron's Kerstin Sewel for sixth on the MAC career list.
Whitney and the Bronco defense was on point on Saturday as the junior worked her 13th complete game of the season, striking out seven Huskies en route to her sixth-straight victory in the circle. Th WMU outfield helped keep NIU to four runs as three potential runs were thrown out at the plate and a fourth was thrown out from second base. NIU stranded 14 runners on th base paths.
The win puts WMU a game ahead of Northern Illinois in the MAC West standings and a half game behind Ball State for the top spot after the Cardinals fell to Bowling Green in 12 innings.
Western Michigan will honor its four seniors (Michelle Bendewald, Lindsey Harris, Lexi Jager and Kayla Turner) prior to Sunday's game with NIU, which is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.
ALEX'S ARMY
Following the Broncos' game against Northern Illinois on Sunday, the
team will hold a home run derby to benefit associate head coach Jamie
Spitale's nephew, Alex Mandarino, who was recently diagnosed with
neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that affects the brain. In order to
support this great cause fans can purchase raffle tickets for a chance
to participate in a home run derby following Sunday's final home game. Five lucky raffle winners will compete in the home run derby and the
winner will receive a Bronco softball gear basket.
Donation buckets will be placed by the concession stand as an
additional opportunity to show support. The WMU softball team wants to
show support for Alex and the Mandarino family and thank the community
for their support as well.
Buchanan's Walk Off HR
