DETROIT, Mich. – Western Michigan softball collected its fourth win in five games this afternoon, edging Detroit Mercy by a final margin of 2-1. The win boosts the Broncos to 12-16 on the season, and keeps them at 2-1 in MAC play.

The two squads held each other in check early on as the first three innings of play were scoreless for both sides. Detroit Mercy was first on the board, scoring on a throwing error with one out in the bottom of the fourth. WMU was able to limit the damage and escape the frame trailing by a run, stranding a Titan baserunner on second.

The fifth and sixth innings mirrored the same results as the first three as UDM clung to a 1-0 lead entering the final inning of play. Junior infielder Alyssa Kramer got things started in the Bronco comeback effort, singling to left field to lead off the top of seven. A sacrifice bunt from Taylor Garey moved Kramer to second, and a base knock down the right field line by Jordan Kavanagh set WMU up with runners on first and third.

Natalie Shuey was tabbed to pinch run for Kavanagh, and stole second base to put the Broncos in striking distance with just one out. The next at bat, Courtney Farrish tapped into her clutch gene, lacing a double into the gap in right center field to score Kramer and Shuey, moving Western Michigan ahead 2-1 as the Titans had one last-ditch effort remaining.

The final half inning did not yield a run for the Titans as Rissa Bajusz kept Detroit Mercy at bay, sending the final two hitters of the day down on strikes to seal the deal in favor of the Broncos. On the day, Bajusz recorded her fifth win and seventh complete game of the season while fanning eight Titan batters and walking just two hitters out of the 27 batters she faced.

At the dish, senior infielder Jordyn Swinehart, senior pitcher Reily Galloway, as well as Alyssa Kramer, each went 1-3 on the afternoon, with Kramer also coming across the plate to score. Freshman infielder Lauren Porter and freshman outfielder Taylor Wolfe each went 1-2 in the box as well, while Courtney Farrish and Jordan Kavanagh each added singles in pinch hit appearances to the WMU cause.

Western Michigan returns to MAC play this weekend, heading to Buffalo on Saturday, April 2 for a three-game series with the Buffalo Bulls. The two teams will square off in a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, with game one beginning at 3 p.m. and the rubber match on Sunday slated for a 12 p.m. first pitch. All games in the UB series will be held at Kenmore East High School and live scoring will be available for each of the three contests.

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