KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan softball team fell in both games of Saturday's doubleheader against Ball State, 5-2, 4-1.
Ball State's first hit of each game was a solo home run. Jennifer Gilbert went yard in top of the first in game one and Taylor Rager went deep in the second in game one, giving the Cardinals an early lead in both games.
Western Michigan's Sabrina Gamboa hit a two-run home run to left center in the fourth to briefly put WMU ahead, 2-1, in game one, but that would be the Broncos' only offense in the game. Ball State went on to tally a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth for the 5-2 victory.
In game two, Western Michigan tied the score at 1-1 in the fourth. Kelsea Cichocki hit a leadoff double and Taylor Sanicki took over at second as a pinch runner. Jenny Rohn laid down a sac bunt and Sanicki came home on an RBI single over the third baseman's head by Megan Stamm.
After allowing the home run in the second, the Broncos kept Ball State off the board until the seventh, but the Cardinals would rally for three runs in their final at bat, stringing together five hits.
The pair of losses drops WMU to 13-26 on the season and 4-6 in the Mid-American Conference. Ball State improves to 23-14, 4-2 MAC.
The Broncos are on the road next weekend, traveling to Eastern Michigan for a doubleheader, Friday, April 18, and to Central Michigan for single game contests, April 19 & 20.
