ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Western Michigan softball team fell short in both games of Friday evening's doubleheader at the DePaul Dome Tournament. In the first matchup of the night, the Broncos were bested by Seattle by a final score of 8-1, while game number two went in favor of DePaul by a final tally of 4-3.
In the opening contest of the evening, Seattle (2-0) opened the game with a run in the initial stanza, but was answered by Western Michigan (1-2) in the bottom half thanks to a single from sophomore third baseman
Cassidy Brendtke that waved senior second baseman
Jordyn Swinehart across the plate to even the score at 1-1.
The game then swung in favor of the Redhawks, who posted two runs in the top of the second, and five in the fifth to put the game out of reach.
Swinehart highlighted the WMU offense, as she went 2-for-3 with two singles and a run scored. Freshman center fielder
Taylor Wolfe and Brendkte both went 1-for-3.
In game number two, DePaul (2-0) got the bats going early, and posted a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, and added another in the third. The Broncos responded shortly after, getting themselves on the board after a single from Brendtke, which brought Swinehart home.
WMU continued to narrow the gap in the top of the sixth as sophomore pitcher
Rissa Bajusz laced a single to bring freshman right fielder
Darcy Barkauskas and DP
Reily Galloway across the plate to tie things up at 3-3. The Blue Demons responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth, and held Western Michigan scoreless in the game's final frame to seal the game.
Leading the Broncos' efforts in the nightcap,
Reily Galloway went 3-for-3 with a pair of singles and a double. Barkauskas laced a double during the Bronco rally in the bottom half of inning number six. Swinehart and Bredntke both went 1-for-3, while Bajusz reached base once in three at bats on a single in addition to a pair of RBIs. Swinehart, Galloway, and Barkauskas all crossed the plate on the night as well.
Western Michigan returns to the diamond in Rosemont, Ill. Saturday afternoon for another double-header, opening with a 3:30 p.m. first pitch against Valparaiso. The Broncos will then take on Western Illinois at 6 p.m. Live stats for both games can be found below:
WMU vs. Valparaiso
WMU vs. Western Illinois