KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Western Michigan suffered a series sweep to Kent State, falling to the Golden Flashes, 3-1, on Senior Day.
Melissa Palmer, who leads the Broncos with a .346 batting average this season, gave the Broncos a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning when she belted her third home run of the season over the right center field wall.
Kent State answered the next inning on a two-run shot from second baseman Abby Ledford to take a 2-1 lead. The Golden Flashes added an insurance run in the top of the fifth when Erika Warren led off the frame with a solo home run.
Western Michigan was in position to take the lead back in the bottom of the sixth with Sabrina Gamboa at the plate. Kelsea Cichocki, who led the Broncos with a .455 batting average this week (5-for-11), drew a one-out walk. Two batters later Jenny Rohn singled to left field. Gamboa put a charge into an offering and sent Kim Kirkpatrick up against the left field wall but the wind held it inside Fran Ebert Field to end the inning.
Cichocki highlighted the weekend with her rare five-hit performance in four official at bats. The freshman singled on a sacrifice bunt attempt, giving her the hit but not registering as an official at bat against Buffalo. The five hits are a new WMU single-game record. Prior to Friday there had been 25 Broncos how had recorded four hits in a game with five Broncos having accomplished the feat twice.
Western Michigan will face its fourth nationally ranked team of the season on Tuesday when the Broncos travel to No. 21 Notre Dame for a 6 p.m. first pitch. WMU closes out the regular season on the road at Ohio (May 2) and Akron (May 3-4).
