KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan softball split a doubleheader this afternoon with the Central Michigan Chippewas, dropping game one by a final score of 3-1, and taking game two by a 5-0 margin. Game two featured 21 consecutive CMU batters retired as senior pitcher recorded the fourth perfect game in WMU softball history, and first since Bronco great Bonni Kinne back in 1984.

The first game of the day went in favor of CMU, as the Chippewas added their first run in the top of inning number three, and tacked on two more an inning later. Junior infielder Courtney Farrish served as the lone run and RBI for the Broncos in game one, blasting a solo homerun in the bottom of six.

Farrish went 2-3 in game one, also singling down the right field line in the fourth. Junior infielder Alyssa Kramer and junior outfielder Natalie Shuey were both 1-3 in the first of two games, while senior infielder Jordyn Swinehart was 1-4 as well.

Game two featured an absolutely dazzling performance in the circle by Reily Galloway, who stacked up 10 strikeouts, making it her 13^th time this season registering double-digit K's in addition to tossing the first perfect game by a Bronco in 38 years.

The Broncos broke things open early offensively in the second contest, as Courtney Farrish went yard for the second time of the day, this time adding an RBI in the form of Alyssa Kramer to put WMU up 2-0 after one inning of play.

Western Michigan would continue to display its offensive firepower in the next inning, as sophomore catcher Taylor Garey roped a double to left center, sending freshman outfielder Darcy Barkauskas to third after she drew a leadoff walk to kick off the bottom half of the frame.

Sophomore infielder Rissa Bajusz blooped a single into the outfield grass in the next at-bat as Barkauskas scored and Garey crossed the plate on a throwing error by CMU, also pushing Bajusz to second base to make things 4-0, WMU. Kramer dug in two batters later to shoot a double into right field, bringing Bajusz all the way home for a 5-0 lead in favor of Western Michigan.

Leading the offensive efforts for WMU in game two was Alyssa Kramer, who went 2-3 with a run batted in and a run scored. Darcy Barkauskas finished the outing 1-2, while Taylor Garey, Rissa Bajusz, and Courtney Farrish each posted 1-3 lines in the second ballgame as well. Western Michigan emerged victorious thanks to five runs on six hits and zero errors, while it took Galloway just 97 pitches to retire each and every Chippewa batter that stepped in the box.

Head coach Kathy Leitke and the Broncos return to Ebert Field tomorrow to finish off the series against rival Central Michigan, with Sunday's first pitch moved up to an 11 a.m. start from its original 12 p.m. slate.

Sunday will also be Senior Day for Western Michigan, as we honor the commitment and sacrifice of this year's senior class throughout their time in Kalamazoo. Senior festivities begin at approximately 10:45 a.m., with first pitch to follow. A live stream and scoring will be available for the series finale as well, and admission to all WMU home softball games is free to spectators. Come on out to Ebert Field to thank your Bronco seniors, and cheer on the whole squad!

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