CLEARWATER, Fla.- Western Michigan softball (7-11) dropped two close games on Friday in the USF Under Armour Invitational to Maine (3-2) and Butler (11-9). In game one against Maine the Broncos loss the contest by a score of 4-2. In game two against Butler WMU loss the pitchers duel in extra innings, giving up the only run scored in the game in the eighth inning.

The Broncos pitching staff struck out 16, walked two and only allowed one earned run in both games combined. WMU forced their opponents to leave 12 runners on base combined through both games. Senior Erin Binkowski went 3-for-7 on the day for a .429 batting percentage.

Game 1: WMU vs. Maine

Western Michigan recorded 10 hits against the Black Bears but only managed to score two runs. Excellent pitching on both teams made earned runs hard to come by in the game.

The Broncos gave up one run in the first inning on a passed ball, but manufactured a run in the second inning to tie the game. Binkowski singled to left field to start the bottom of the second inning off, freshamn Erin Barg came in to pinch run for Binkowski. Senior shortsop sabrina Gamboa laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Barg to second. Barg then advanced to third on a base hit by sophomore center fielder Aspen Williams. Freshman Courtney Sleeman hit a sacrifice fly to left field scoring Barg. 

In the fifth inning Maine tacked on three more unearned runs after a passed ball and an error. sophomore Anissa Sanchez came in to releave Freshman pitcher Jordan Kurth and the Broncos were able to get out of the inning on a strikeout.

In the sixth inning junior left fielder Ivy Schaaf threw a dart on fly ball to double up the runner on first and recorded an unassisted double play to end the inning. In the bottom of the seventh Schaaf doubled to center and scored after senior second baseman Melissa Palmer singled to right field.

With the score 4-2 in favor of Maine, the Broncos were able to get runners on second and third but were unable to bring them home.

Freshman Jordan Kurth (2-3) picked up the loss in game one going 4.2 innings striking-out six and did not allow an earned run.

Game 2: WMU vs. Butler

Pitching dominated game two of the doubleheader against Butler. The Broncos dropped the contest 1-0 in eight innings.

Senior Allyson Kus (5-5) picked up the loss, pitching a complete game and only allowing one run and struck out ten in eight innings.10 strike outs is a career high for Kus, previous high was seven which she has recorded twice in her career. Kus only allowed one extra base hit and only walked one batter while throwing 117 pitches, 81 for strikes. Binkowski, Gamboa and Wyman each recorded a hit in the game.

In the eighth inning, Butler was able to score despite a great play made by first baseman Brooke Wyman to throw out the a runner at home plate to record the second out of the inning. Butler was able to score what would be the only run in the game when the next batter singled to right field.

The Broncos will face Quinnipiac tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. and IPFW at 11:45 a.m. in the USF Under Armour Invitational Series.