CONWAY, Ark. -- The Western Michigan softball team split a doubleheader of contrasting styles on Friday at Central Arkansas.
The Broncos (3-4) dropped a 2-1 decision to Stephen F. Austin before taking a 13-5 win over Mississippi Valley State at the Adam Brown Memorial Shamrock Classic. The day saw
Mackenzie Swinehart drill her second home run of the year, while
Sydney Stefanick was 5-for-6 at the plate on the day.
Reily Galloway thew a complete game, allowing one earned run, while taking the loss against the Lumberjacks.
Rissa Bajusz picked up her first collegiate win against the Delta Devils in game two.
| GAME TWO
The Broncos rebounded with an offensive outburst that resulted in a 13-5 win over Mississippi Valley State in the nightcap.
Sydney Stefanick was 4-for-4 at the plate with an RBI, while
Mackenzie Swinehart continued her hot start to the year going 3-for-4 with a three-run homer. Sophie Ehlers and
Rissa Bajusz had two hits and two RBI apiece, while
Alyssa Kramer joined them with a multi-hit game.
Bajusz picked up the win, going 3.1 innings and allowing just five hits.
Autumn Godwin threw the final 1.2 innings, conceding one hit.
Bottom 2nd | WMU 4, MVSU 1
After the Delta Devils struck first in the second, WMU responded with a crooked number. Ehlers started the frame with a leadoff single before Kramer reached on a bunt single.
Emily Koperdak laid down a successful sacrifice bunt to advance the runners before Bajusz reached on a bunt single, scoring Ehlers to tie the game.
Jordyn Swinehart delivered an RBI ground out to score Kramer and make it 2-1. After Bajusz stole third,
Mackenzie Swinehart singled her home to extend the lead to 3-1.
Kaylen Glenfield and Stefanick delivered consecutive singles, with Stefanick's scoring
Mackenzie Swinehart to make it 4-1 before a flyout ended the inning.
Bottom 3rd | WMU 11, MVSU 1
The Broncos broke it open, hanging a seven-spot in the third. Ehlers again started the rally, this time with a double. Kramer reached on an error and stole second. After Koperdack struck out, Ehlers was caught in a rundown trying to score and retired, with Kramer advancing to third. After a Mississippi Valley pitching change, Bajusz singled to score Kramer and
Mackenzie Swinehart singled to score Bajusz. An infield error allowed Glenfield to reach while both Swinehart sisters scored to make it 8-1. Stefanick singled and
Samantha Coffel walked to load the bases. Ehlers singled home Glenfield and Stefanick before Kramer added a single to score Kehoe (pinch ran for Coffel), making it 11-1. A strikeout ended the inning.
| GAME ONE
The Broncos opened the weekend with a 2-1 setback to Stephen F. Austin. Glenfield had the lone RBI for WMU, while
Reily Galloway was solid while taking the tough-luck loss. Galloway allowed just one earned run while striking out six and going the distance.
Top 3rd | SFA 1, WMU 0
The Lumberjacks struck for an unearned run to take a 1-0 lead. Bry Novegil drew a leadoff walk before the next two hitters popped up. A fly ball to left could have ended the inning, but a Bronco error allowed Novegil to score and Garcia to reach. Galloway then got a strikeout to end the frame.
Bottom 6th | WMU 1, SFA 1
The Broncos tied the game in the sixth.
Jordyn Swinehart started things off with a double to left before her sister, Mackenzie, bunted her to third. Glenfield tied the game with a single to center to tie the game. After Stefanick hit into a fielder's choice, Coffel lined out to cap an 11-pitch at-bat, ending the inning.
Top 7th | SFA 2, WMU 1
SFA retook the lead in the top of the seventh. Mac Bennett hit a one-out double to start the inning before Mar Arriaga pinch ran. A Novegil groundout advanced Arriaga to third before Camryn Middlebrook drove her home on an infield single. Shayl Govan singled to put two runners awn before Garcia popped up for the third out.
| On Deck
The Broncos play a pair of games in Conway, Arkansas, on Saturday, March 6. First up is a 3:30 p.m. showdown with the host, Central Arkansas. That game can be seen live on UCASports.com. The nightcap is an 8 p.m. ET rematch with Stephen F. Austin.
