TONAWANDA, NY – Western Michigan softball split two games of a doubleheader this afternoon, dropping the first matchup 9-7 and bouncing back to win the second game by a final score of 4-2. This afternoon's results move the Broncos to 13-17 on the season, and 3-2 against Mid-American Conference opponents.

The first game of the day was an absolute thriller, featuring a total of five lead changes and eight home runs in seven innings. Buffalo (12-10, 4-2 MAC) struck first, notching a pair of runs in the bottom of the second to take an early lead. The Broncos responded with a run of their own in the next half inning courtesy of a solo home run from sophomore pitcher Rissa Bajusz.

UB would bump its lead back to two the next half inning before sophomore infielder Cassidy Brendtke blasted a two-run bomb over the centerfield wall to knot things up at three runs apiece before senior pitcher Reily Galloway sent out a homer of her own two batters later, putting WMU ahead 4-3 halfway through the fifth.

Buffalo and Western Michigan each went scoreless in the following two half-innings before UB regained the lead in inning number six as a two-run homer moved things back in its favor. Needing to make something happen in the top of the seventh, the Broncos came to the plate with their backs against the wall.

Bajusz got thing started with a base knock before Brendtke advanced her to second with a sacrifice bunt. After junior pinch hitter Courtney Farrish drew a base on balls, Galloway stepped into the batter's box and teed off for a three-run shot over the wall in left center field, giving the Broncos a two-run cushion with three outs to go. Unfortunately for WMU, Buffalo posted four runs in the game's final frame, winning on a three-run home run to end things.

In game one, Reily Galloway spearheaded the Bronco offense, going 2-4 with a pair of home runs and four total runs batted in. Rissa Bajusz had a strong performance as well, going 2-3 with a bomb of her own and an RBI, while Cassidy Brendtke went 1-3 and blasted a home run for a pair of RBI's herself. Freshman infielder Lauren Porter, junior outfielder Natalie Shuey, and freshman outfielder Taylor Wolfe all went 1-3 in game one as well.

Matchup number two was more of a defensive battle for both sides, at least compared to the first contest of the day. Buffalo again struck first, tallying a pair of runs in its first plate appearance for an advantage early. That would end the scoring for UB, however, as the Broncos posted four unanswered runs in remaining other six innings to split the day.

Lauren Porter laid down a bunt in the top of the fourth and reached base, bringing Jordyn Swinehart home to score and cut the Bull lead in half. One inning later, Cassidy Brendtke laced a double to left field, bringing Taylor Wolfe home to even things up. Entering the final inning tied 2-2, the Broncos once again looked to create some late-inning magic at the dish.

This time, they would do so as an RBI base knock from Jordyn Swinehart tilted the lead in favor of WMU. One batter later, junior infielder Alyssa Kramer gave Western Michigan a two-run cushion with an RBI single of her own, bringing Swinehart around for the second time that game. Buffalo would put a runner in scoring position in the bottom half, but good defense ended things with Western Michigan on top.

The evening session was highlighted by a 2-4 performance by Jordyn Swinehart, including a pair of runs and an RBI. Alyssa Kramer and Lauren Porter each went 1-3 with an RBI themselves, while Cassidy Brendtke went 1-4 with a run batted in of her own. Reily Galloway also went 1-3 in matchup number two to round out the batting efforts for the Broncos. Galloway also picked up her eighth win of the year in the circle, fanning 18 hitters for the second time this season. She found her stride after the first, giving up just one hit in the final six innings and walking just five of the 29 batters she faced in the game.

Western Michigan returns to action tomorrow for the rubber match of the series with Buffalo. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. from Kenmore East High School, and live scoring will be available HERE. The Broncos then return home to Kalamazoo where they host the Bowling Green Falcons for a three game series on April 5-6. Admission to all WMU softball games is free to spectators, and live scoring will also be available for each game.

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