LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Western Michigan softball team concluded action in the Commonwealth of Kentucky by splitting a pair of games on Saturday. The Broncos took down Morehead State, 6-1, in game one before wrapping-up the weekend with a 2-1 loss to Bellarmine.
| GAME ONE
Game one saw the Broncos take a 6-1 decision from Morehead State. Stefanick drilled a three-run homer while
Reily Galloway went the distance, allowing just four hits and one run to earn the victory.
| Key Innings
Top 2nd | WMU 2, Morehead State 0
The Broncos opened up the lead in the second when
Sophia Ehlers started things with a one-out single to left.
Jordyn Swinehart followed with a single up the middle before
Alyssa Kramer hit into a fielder's choice to put runners at the corners with two outs.
Mackenzie Swinehart walked to load the bases before Glenfield singled through the right side to score Kramer and Ehlers. Stefanick walked to load the bases, but
Samantha Coffel flew out to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd | WMU 2, Morehead State 1
The Eagles responded with a single run in the second. Peyton Rose singled to start the inning before Peyton Slater was hit by a pitch. Erin Boyle got a bunt single to load the bases before Taylor Rhea popped up to first and Trinity Spear grounded out. With two outs, Kirya Kingery knocked in Rose with an infield single before Madelyn Gailor popped up to leave the bases loaded.
Top 6th | WMU 6, Morehead State 1
The Broncos added a single run in the fourth, but broke it open in the sixth.
Mackenzie Swinehart's one-out single started the rally before Glenfield singled to center. Stefanick followed with a three-run homer to right to provide the final margin.
| GAME TWO
WMU out-hit Bellarmine in game two, 8-6, but it was in the runs column where the Knights held the advantage in the 2-1 win.
Autumn Godwin and
Rissa Bajusz were solid in the circle for Western Michigan. Godwin scattered five hits and allowed one earned run in 2.1 innings before Bajusz allowed one hit and one unearned run in 3.2 innings of relief. Glenfield had two hits and an RBI in the effort for the Broncos.
| Key Innings
Top 3rd | WMU 1, Bellamrine 0
Kramer started things with a one-out single before
Mackenzie Swinehart's sacrifice advanced her to second. Glenfield then singled up the middle and Kramer beat the throw home to put the Broncos up 1-0. A Stefanick strikeout ended the frame.
Bottom 3rd | WMU 1, Bellarmine 1
The Knights immediately responded. Grace Werner led off with a single back to the circle before Hannah Webb sacrificed her to second and she advanced to third on the play. Alexis Hargrove singled to center to score Werner. After a single and walk, Godwin was lifted for Bajusz who induced a 1-2-3 double play t o keep the game tied.
Bottom 5th | Bellarmine 2, WMU 1
Bellarmine struck for an unearned run which would prove to be the game-winner in the fifth. Werner again started the rally, this time drawing a walk. Webb sacrified her to second before Werner moved up to third on passed ball. Hargrove singled her home then stole second before a flyout and strikeout ended the inning.
| On Deck
The Broncos will travel to Central Arkansas for five games in Conway next weekend. WMU will face the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State on Friday before game two against UT Martin. The Broncos return Saturday to face the Skyhawks and Stephen F. Austin before a Sunday contest with the Lumberjacks wraps-up the weekend.
