CLEARWATER, Fla.- Western Michigan softball (7-9) defeated Maine (2-2) in an offensive battle by a score 8-5. The Broncos were down 5-1 through three innings but fought back adding one run in the fourth inning, four in the fifth and two in the sixth. WMU as a team went 11-for-28 at the plate, recording a .393 batting average. 

The Black Bears scored three runs in the first inning, recording three base hits. The Broncos responded in the bottom of the third with Abby Stoner, Kelsea Cichocki and Erin Binkowski all recording base hits. With one out Stoner started things off for the Brown and Gold recording a base hit to third. Cichocki singled to right field. With runners at first and second Binkowski singled to center, scoring Stoner. Maine was able to get out of the inning only allowing one run.

Maine was able to tack on two more runs in the third after a passed ball and an error in right field allowed the Black Bears to get both runners in scoring position on third and second with only one out. 

In the fourth the Broncos were able to load the bases with no outs, but a base running error on a ground ball hit by Cichocki to third led to an unassisted triple play to end the inning. Down 5-2 in the fifth inning the Broncos once again loaded the bases, with two outs Senior shortstop Sabrina Gamboa hit a monster grand slam over the left field fence in the fourth to put WMU on top 6-5. 

The Broncos added two runs to their lead in the sixth. Stoner recorded her second walk of the game after fouling off nine consecutive pitches before taking a high and inside ball four. With Stoner on first, Junior Erin Binkowski homered to extend the lead to 8-5.

Allyson Kus (5-4) only needed seven pitches to get the final three outs of the game and secure WMU's fourth victory in Florida.

Binkowski went 3-for-4 in the game with three RBIs, Gamboa went 3-for-3 with four RBIs. Abby Stoner went 2-for-2 with two walks a RBI and a run scored. 

Gamboa is now in third place all-time in career home runs with 17, she is one home run away from tying Meredith Whitney (2009-12) for second place. Binkowski is also moving up the all-time career home run list currently in fourth place with 14. Binkowski leads the team with six home runs this year.

Allyson Kus (5-4) earned the win pitching a complete game allowing only two earned runs.

The Broncos will be back in action in the USF Under Armour Invitational Series on Friday, WMU will be facing Maine at 9:30 a.m. and then Butler at 11:45 a.m.