KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan softball defeated Valparaiso at home this afternoon by a final score of 3-0 from Ebert Field. The win boosts the Broncos to 11-16 on the season, and keeps them at 2-1 in MAC play.

The first three innings featured solid pitching from both sides as the two teams traded scoreless frames. Valparaiso then threatened in the top half of inning number four, loading the bases with just one out. Senior pitcher Reily Galloway fanned the next two Beacon hitters to erase the damage and keep the contest locked at zero.

Western Michigan got on the board later that inning thanks to a triple laced down the left field line by senior infielder Jordyn Swinehart, who came around to score on the play courtesy of a throwing error by the Beacon infield. At the end of four innings, WMU clung to a 1-0 lead.

Galloway shut down Valparaiso in the top half of the fifth with a pair of strikeouts, sending the Broncos back to the dish and allowing them to build on their 1-0 advantage. Freshman outfielder Taylor Wolfe sent a single up the middle to start the bottom half before sophomore infielder Rissa Bajusz followed suit with a single of her own.

A passed ball allowed the two Bronco runners to advance to second and third before a well-timed double down the left field line from sophomore infielder Cassidy Brendtke brought Wolfe and Bajusz across the plate, bumping the WMU lead up to 3-0.

That would be all the Broncos needed to seal the deal as Galloway secured the shutout with two more scoreless innings, earning her seventh win of the season. Galloway also registered 12 strikeouts and gave up just three hits in the circle this afternoon.

Cassidy Brendtke, Jordyn Swinehart, and junior infielder Alyssa Kramer each went 1-3 on the afternoon, including a pair of RBI's for Brendtke and a run scored for Swinehart. Taylor Wolfe and Rissa Bajusz were 1-2 themselves in addition to crossing the dish for one run apiece.

The Broncos are back in action tomorrow as they venture to the Motor City for a matchup with the Detroit Mercy Titans. First pitch from Buysse Ballpark is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will be available for streaming via ESPN+. WMU's next home action takes place on Tuesday, April 5 at 3 p.m. against the Bowling Green Falcons, and admission to all Bronco softball home games is free to spectators.

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