NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Western Michigan softball dropped a non-conference matchup at the University of Notre Dame Wednesday, falling by a score of 11-4.

The Broncos took an early advantage in the first inning with a Sydney Stefanick homer over the left field fence, her sixth of the season. However, WMU saw its lead dissipate as the Irish answered with a pair of runs in the second inning along with a seven-run dagger in the fourth.

Notre Dame tallied 11 runs off 13 hits, compared to WMU's four runs off eight hits and two errors. Western Michigan falls to 7-13 overall.

The home team tied the game at 2-2 in the second inning, loading the bases and scoring two with a single up the middle. Stefanick came in to relieve Jordan Kurth in the pitcher's circle with two outs and was able to escape the jam while forcing a fly out to center field.  

The Irish scored seven runs off five hits in the fourth to take a commanding 9-2 lead. Down 4-2, a couple of Bronco errors led to back-to-back Notre Dame home runs.

WMU answered in the fifth with two runs off RBI hits from Kaylen Glenfield and Stefanick, but UND also added a pair with a two-run home run in the bottom half to claim the 11-4 advantage.

Stefanick suffered the loss in the pitcher's circle for the Broncos, allowing a season-high seven earned runs in 4-1 innings pitcher as her record falls to 4-4 on the year. Meanwhile, she led WMU at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three runs batted in.

Up Next
Western Michigan opens Mid-American Conference play at the University of Akron March 29-30. Game one on Friday is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @WMUSoftball