AKRON, Ohio– The eighth-seeded Western Michigan softball team continued their Mid-American Conference Tournament run with a 7-5 victory over seventh-seeded Akron Friday afternoon at Firestone Stadium.  The Broncos were propelled by a five-run inning in the top of the fifth. WMU improved to 25-28 overall winning nine of their last 13 games and will face No. 3 Northern Illinois tonight at approximately 6 p.m.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @WMUSoftball
After starting pitcher Jordan Kurth sent Akron down in order in the bottom of the first, Western Michigan struck in the top of the second frame. Senior Kelsea Cichocki would reach first when she beat out an infield single down the left line. The third baseman would then move to second when junior Aspen Williams placed a sacrifice bunt. With one out, sophomore Brooke Wyman would eventually push Cichcoki to third with an infield ground ball to the right side. Then with two outs, sophomore catcher Courtney Sleeman would come to the plate and rip a two-run bomb over the left field wall to give the Broncos the 2-0 lead. The home run was Sleeman's second of the season and her fourth in the Brown & Gold uniform.

The Zips took the lead in the bottom of the fourth ending Kurth's perfect game. Akron would score four runs off three hits to take the 4-2 lead. Kurth finished the day pitching 3.2 innings as her final line read four runs, three hits and four strikeouts.

The Broncos responded in the top of the fifth with a five-run inning. With two outs freshman Mackenzie Swinehart singled to right field and redshirt junior Marlee Wilson reached first off a hit by pitch. Senior Abby Stoner shot a RBI single to left center and Cichcoki earned a free base to load the bases for Williams. The left fielder would drive a ball to deep left field for a three run double. Wyman would add a cushion run for the Broncos with a RBI single driving in Williams as WMU took a 7-4 lead.

Akron added a run in the bottom of the fifth to make the score 7-5 but relief pitcher Holly VanTilburg had a strong performance and held the Zips scoreless to end the game. Akron placed a runner on first with one out in the bottom of the seventh but Swinehart would end the game with a diving catch in right field and doubled the runner off at first.

 VanTilburg pitched 3.1 innings during this afternoon's game allowing two hits, one run and two strikeouts. With the win, the junior transfer improved her record to 7-3 overall this season.

Cichocki led the Broncos going a perfect 3-for-3 with a walk and two runs. Wyman followed behind going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Five other Broncos tallied hits including Sleeman's home run while Williams had a game-high three RBIs.