KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Despite out-hitting Akron, 8-4, Western Michigan softball fell to the visiting Zips, 5-0, on Saturday afternoon at Fran Ebert Field.
The game hinged on two costly mistakes for WMU defensively. In the top of the second Taryn Allmon led off with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. McKenzie Rhodes reached on a fielding error to put runners on the corners. After Rhodes stole second, Lisa Lash popped out for the second out. The next batter walked to load the bases and a passed ball accounted for the only run of the frame.
In the top of the fifth, WMU registered two outs before Akron collected an infield base hit back to the pitcher. The shot rocketed right in Becca Shemberger's glove but her reaction was not fast enough to secure the third out. Two walks later, the bases were loaded. Rachel Ratcliffe cleared them with here eighth home run of the season.
Western Michigan had its chances offensively, stranding nine runners on base, at least one in every inning but the fifth.
Highlighting the day was sophomore second baseman Jenny Rohn, who went 3-for-4 with a double and two singles on the day. Loren Nagy also collected a pair of hits in the loss. Colleen Lynch, Megan Stamm and Christina Pigozzi accounted for WMU's other three hits.
Western Michigan will close out the weekend against the Zips at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Following tomorrow's game, the Broncos will play seven games in six days to close out the regular season.
