TEMPE, Ariz. - Western Michigan used a monster sixth inning to take care of Appalachian State in the 2014 season opener, winning 9-1 in six.
Leading 1-0 heading into the top of the sixth, Christina Pigozzi started things off by reaching on a fielding error by the pitcher. Ivy Schaaf followed with her first collegiate hit. Taylor Sanicki advanced both runners on a sacrifice. Melissa Palmer scored Pigozzi on a single to double the Broncos' advantage.
Jenny Rohn ripped her first double of the season to clear the bases. Caity Pixley collected a base hit and Marlee Wilson drew a walk. Sabrina Gamboa collected a hit to score Rohn and load the bases for Mackenzie Ritsema. The sophomore, playing in her first game as a Bronco wasted little time putting her stamp on the program, belting a one-out grand slam. Western Michigan recorded eight runs on seven hits in the decisive inning.
Palmer, Rohn, Pixley and Ritsema all had two hits in the season opener. Wilson, Ritsema, Schaaf and Sanicki were all making their WMU debuts in the victory.
Allyson Kus picked up her first win of the season, going 6.0 innings and scattering just five hits in the shutout win.
The Broncos were back on the field on Friday to take on Creighton, but WMU would not fare as well, dropping a five-inning game, 9-0. Pixley and Pigozzi were the only Broncos to register base hits as Erin Binkowski suffered the loss in her collegiate debut.
Western Michigan closed out its day two at the Kajikawa Classic against Utah from the PAC 12. The Utes posted five runs in the top of the first to take control. Ritsema doubled to lead off the home half of the second inning and later scored from third base when Schaaf reached on an error at second base. Palmer went 2-for-3 in the loss.
The Broncos face No. 20/22 Stanford at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday followed by Cal State-Northridge at 9 p.m. ET.
