KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan fell behind early and was short of a comeback Tuesday, dropping a 6-3 decision to visiting Detroit in non-conference play. WMU returns home tomorrow to host rival Central Michigan in a Mid-American Conference contest at 2 p.m.

The Titans put its first three runners on base safely in the third and scored all three to take a 3-0 lead. Detroit added two more runs off of five hits and an error in the fifth to open a 5-0 advantage. The Broncos avoided what could have been a bigger inning for the Titans. WMU recorded the second out throwing a runner out at the plate and freshman relief pitcher Jordan Kurth tallied a swinging strikeout to leave the bases loaded.

Western Michigan's offense managed just three hits through five innings off of Detroit starting pitcher Christa McHahuey. The Broncos got to McHauey for three runs in the bottom of the sixth however to cut the deficit to 5-3. Junior left fielder Ivy Schaaf roped a leadoff double down the left line and with two away, junior third baseman Kelsea Cichocki drove a ball back up the middle for an RBI single. In the next at bat, junior Abby Stoner blasted a ball out over the fence in left center for her fifth home run of the season.

Detroit scored an unearned run in the top of the seventh to extend its lead to 6-3. The Broncos had the bases loaded when the game ended, but a groundball out ended the game.

WMU sophomore pitcher Anissa Sanchez (1-3) started the game and took the loss, going 4.1 innings. She allowed five runs (four earned) and seven hits while striking out two. Kurth worked 2.2 innings of relief and allowed one unearned run.

McGahuey (1-8) picked up her first win for Detroit and Ashley Mauser threw 1.1 innings for her first save of the year.

The Broncos had eight hits total. Schaaf went 3-for-4 and senior second baseman Melissa Palmer was 2-for-4. Sophomore Gabby Schefka had a double in the fifth.

WMU's record fell to 15-18 overall. Detroit improved to 11-28.