Softball | April 20, 2018

Box Score KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Freshman Sydney Stefanick delivered the game-winning hit and junior pitcher Jordan Kurth struck out 12 as the Western Michigan softball team defeated Toledo in a 14-inning marathon Friday at Fran Ebert Field.

It was just the third Mid-American Conference loss for Toledo (28-15, 12-3 MAC) who is leading the MAC West Division. The Broncos are second in the division and with the win improved to 23-18 overall and 10-6 in the MAC. WMU and Toledo will conclude this weekend's three-game series with a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 1 p.m.

Western Michigan took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first off a solo home run by freshman Samantha Coffel. Toledo evened the score with a run in the top of the second. From there, the game went 11 scoreless innings as both Kurth and Toledo pitcher Heather Webb put on a show.

Kurth threw 187 pitches in the game, while Webb went over 190. Kurth's 12 strikeouts set a new career high, besting her 10 strikeouts recorded in this year's season-opener against then 19th ranked BYU. Webb struck out nine batters for the Rockets.

Stefanick came up with the game-winning, walk off hit with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 14th. Coffel drew a walk, Jenna Faultersack followed with a slap single and Marlee Wilson got on board with a fielder's choice in which all three base runners reached safely as Coffel beat the throw to third. Stefanick stepped to the plate and ripped a ball over the right fielder's head for the 2-1 Bronco victory.

Despite being charged with three errors in the game, the Western Michigan defense came up with several highlight plays. With a runner on first in the top of the 10th, Toledo's Samantha Showalter hit a double over Coffel's head in left field and Toledo attempted to send the lead runner home. Coffel gathered the ball at the fence and fired to shortstop Brooke Wyman who gunned home to catcher Logan Carter. Carter put the tag on at the plate, preventing the go-ahead run.

Kurth was routinely brilliant in the pitcher's circle. With two outs and two runners on and a 3-2 count in the top of the 12th, she recorded the final out with a looking strikeout on a head-turning pitch. She came back in the top of the 13th and again recorded the third out with a looking strikeout.

After starting the season with a 1-3 record in the pitcher's circle, Kurth has rattled off nine wins without a loss and is now 10-3 on the year. She held Toledo to seven hits in the contest.

Offensively, Coffel had two of WMU's five hits in the game and drew a pair of walks. Her home run in the bottom of the first was her fourth of the season and was a mammoth shot over the fence in left field.

On Saturday during the doubleheader, WMU softball will participate in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association StriKeout Cancer initiative and will be collecting donations as well as auctioning off game-worn jerseys with proceeds being donated to Bronson Children's Hospital.