LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Western Michigan softball team fell victim to the big inning on Friday night at Bellarmine, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Knights on a rainy afternoon in the Derby City.
Sydney Stefanick had the RBI in the effort for the Broncos (1-2), while
Mackenzie Swinehart had a pair of hits. Stefanick started in the circle for WMU, allowing three earned runs in 4.2 innings with four strikeouts while taking the loss.
Hannah Webb knocked in a pair of runs and scored for Bellarmine (1-1), with Sydney Young adding an RBI. Megan Murphy was outstanding in the circle, limiting the Broncos to three hits and the one run while throwing a complete game.
| Key Innings
Top 1st | WMU 1, Bellarmine 0
The Broncos got things started when Swinehart led off the game with a bunt single. She then advanced to second before a
Kaylen Glenfield groundout moved her to third. Stefanick followed with another ground out to score Swinehart before Farrish fouled out to end the inning.
Bottom 5th | Bellarmine 4, WMU 1
The Knights used a two-out rally to hang a four-spot on WMU in the fifth. After Stefanick induced a pair of groundouts, Gwen Malecke singled to left. Grace Werner then delivered a bunt single, with Anna Greenwell, who pinch ran for Malecke, advancing to third. Werner stole second before Webb singled to left, scoring both runs. After a walk, Young singled to left to score Webb and Stefanick was lifted from the circle for
Rissa Bajusz. Caitlyn Watson pinch ran for Young and stole second before advancing to third and scoring on a passed ball. After Bajusz walked MaryJessica Thomson, she struck out Hattie Hartman to end the inning.
| On Deck
The Broncos play a pair at Bellarmine on Saturday, Feb. 27. WMU faces Morehead State at 11 a.m. ET before a rematch with the host Knights at 3 p.m. ET.
