TEMPE, Ariz.- The Western Michigan softball team fell in a pair of games Saturday at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. New Mexico took game one, 4-2, and the Broncos lost their nightcap to Cal Poly, 2-1.
Three WMU errors in the bottom of the first were the difference in the game against New Mexico as the Lobos scored all four of their runs in the frame, all of which were unearned.
The Broncos got two runs back in the top of the sixth but couldn't pull from behind. With two outs, redshirt first baseman Marklee Wilson got WMU going, singling to right field. Senior third baseman Kelsea Cichocki followed with a walk and pinch runner Erin Barg went on the score on a double by sophomore shortstop Brooke Wyman. Cichocki would come across from third on a wild pitch.
WMU out-hit the Lobos 9-4 and left six runners stranded in the game.
Sophomore Jordan Kurth took the loss, allowing the four hits and striking out three over six innings.
In game two, Sierra Hyland hit a two-run triple for Cal Poly in the bottom of the sixth. Hyland also worked the last two innings in the pitcher's circle, striking out four to earn the win for the Mustangs.
Freshman MacKenzie Swinehart scored WMU's lone run in the top of the seventh after reaching on a fielder's choice. The Mustangs committed two errors in the inning allowing Swinehart to score unearned.
Junior Anissa Sanchez took the loss for WMU, throwing 5.1 innings. She gave up three hits and two walks. One of the runs was unearned. Junior Holly VanTilburd came on in relief with one out and two runners on in the sixth and surrendered the triple to Hyland.
WMU (1-4) closes out its stay in Arizona tomorrow, facing Seattle at 11 a.m. ET.
