KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan softball picked up a pair of wins this afternoon over the visiting Toledo Rockets (8-15, 1-2 MAC) in a Sunday doubleheader, winning the first game 8-0 in five innings, and finishing the day with a 2-1 edge. The W's move the squad to 10-15 on the year, and 2-1 in Mid-American Conference play.

The day got underway with a rope over the head of the Rocket centerfielder off the bat of senior infielder Reily Galloway, driving in fellow senior infielder Jordyn Swinehart in the Broncos' initial frame at the plate. A UT error allowed junior leftfielder Natalie Shuey to cross the dish in the bottom of the second, which was quickly followed up by a double from sophomore pitcher Rissa Bajusz, driving in junior catcher Madison Duell.

Scoring for the Broncos was far from finished in game one, as junior infielder Alyssa Kramer launched a bomb up over the wall in left centerfield to move the WMU advantage to 4-0. Inspired by her teammate, Reily Galloway added to the Western Michigan lead with a two-run bomb an inning later, sending an absolute missile over the wall in left field down onto Stadium Drive and also bringing home Swinehart to bump the Bronco lead up, 6-0.

Five innings would prove to be all that was needed, as freshman outfielder Mary Smithnosky singled to start off the game's final stanza. Rissa Bajusz sent a base hit up the middle to bring Smithnosky across the dish shortly thereafter, and the game came to a close via a pinch hit sacrifice fly from junior catcher Courtney Farrish, bringing freshman infielder Lauren Porter home to wrap things up in the first game of two.

Reily Galloway had another spectacular performance at the plate in game one, going 2-3 with a double and home run in addition to three runs batted in. Rissa Bajusz was also impressive for WMU, collecting the win in the circle while also going 2-3 in the box, adding a pair of RBI's of her own. Jordyn Swinehart, Alyssa Kramer, Mary Smithnosky, and Lauren Porter all added hits to the Bronco cause as well.

The rubber match of the weekend series got started in similar fashion to the first game of the day, as Jordyn Swinehart reached base with a single and took second thanks to a throwing error by the Toledo infield. The very next at bat, Reily Galloway laced a base knock into right field, bringing Swinehart across to once again give the Broncos a 1-0 lead early.

After scoreless second and third innings, Western Michigan struck again, this time at the hands of Natalie Shuey, who sent a double down the left field line to score sophomore catcher Taylor Garey after she reached base via a double of her own in the prior at bat. This run would prove to be the difference as the Rockets got themselves on the board in the top of the sixth. UT threatened in the top of inning number seven, but good pitching and defense kept the visitors at bay to secure the series victory for Western Michigan.

Cassidy Brendtke, Jordyn Swinehart, and Taylor Garey each went 1-3 on the afternoon, with Swinehart and Garey both crossing the plate to score as well. Reily Galloway and Natalie Shuey each went 1-3 themselves in addition to an RBI apiece. Furthermore, Galloway improved to 6-7 on the year inside the circle, giving up just three hits and walking a lone Rocket while sitting down 11 hitters on the afternoon, bringing her total to 29 strikeouts on the weekend and 118 this season, which leads the MAC. Additionally, she now posts an ERA of 1.68, which is also first conference-wide.

The Broncos return to the diamond on Tuesday, March 22 when they head east to Ann Arbor for a battle with the Michigan Wolverines. First pitch from Alumni Stadium is set for 4 p.m., and live scoring can be found HERE.

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