ATHENS, Ohio – Western Michigan softball swept this afternoon's doubleheader against the host Ohio Bobcats by 2-0 and 10-5 margins. The pair of wins bumps WMU up to 22-31 on the season, and 12-15 against Mid-American Conference opponents.

Game one showed momentum in favor of the Broncos early on, as Western Michigan got on the board first. Senior infielder Jordyn Swinehart reached base on an error by the Ohio infield, and advanced to second and third base in the following two at-bats. Senior pitcher Reily Galloway dug in and sent an RBI single to left field, bringing Swinehart home for a quick advantage in the game's opening half inning.

The Broncos would add an insurance run in the top of the game's final frame and seal the deal. Freshman pinch hitter Jordan Kavanagh doubled to right field to kick off the inning, and freshman pinch runner Taylor Wolfe advanced to third in the next A.B. Sophomore infielder Cassidy Brendtke stepped into the box next, and reached base safely on a fielder's choice as Wolfe crossed the dish to put the game out of reach for Ohio.

Reily Galloway put on another show both in the box as well as the circle, finishing game one 2-3 with a single and run batted in, while holding the Bobcats, who entered the series as the second ranked offense in the MAC, to a mere three hits on the afternoon. Going the distance for complete game number 23, Galloway walked just one single Bobcat hitter in 26 batters faced and delivered the first shutout of Ohio in conference play this season.

Jordyn Swinehart provided an offensive spark in game one as well, going 2-4 with a single and double in addition to a run scored in the first inning. Sophomore infielder Rissa Bajusz went 1-3 herself, while Cassidy Brendtke and junior designated hitter Courtney Farrish each went 1-4 as well, with Brendtke also notching an RBI.

Game two featured far more offensive firepower from both sides as a total of 15 runs were scored. OU struck first in the second of two games today, but would not hold the advantage for long as a big third inning put WMU back on top. Taylor Wolfe kicked the frame off with a base knock to right field, and went all the way to third the next at-bat thanks to another base hit from Rissa Bajusz. Cassidy Brendtke reached on another Bobcat error, bringing Wolfe home to tie things at one.

A good sacrifice bunt from Jordyn Swinehart pushed Brendtke and Bajusz up a base, and the two advanced another on a wild pitch with Reily Galloway in the box to take a 2-1 lead with a runner on third. Galloway took advantage of the opportunity and laced an RBI double to right field, allowing Brendtke to touch home and make it a 3-1 ballgame. The very next batter, Courtney Farrish launched a two-run bomb out of Ohio Softball Field, waving in two more and increasing the damage to 5-1 in favor of WMU to round out the big inning.

The sixth inning would be much like the third, as the Broncos tacked on four more runs to add some breathing room after an Ohio offensive outburst. Junior infielder Alyssa Kramer sent a single up the middle to start the Bronco half, and went to second on a sacrifice bunt from junior outfielder Natalie Shuey. Freshman outfielder Darcy Barkauskas then sent a single of her own back up the middle to put runners on the corners with one away.

Barkauskas took second on a wild pitch as Kramer showed some aggression on the base paths, coming home to make things 6-4 in the top of six. Taylor Wolfe drew a walk in the next plate appearance to bring Rissa Bajusz to the dish. Doing the pitching in game two, Bajusz helped her own cause by sending a three-run homer over the fence in center field to open the ballgame up 9-4 in the direction of Western Michigan.

The Broncos would add the tenth and final run in their last turn at the plate. Alyssa Kramer doubled down the line in right field to open the inning up, and advanced to third on another wild pitch in the next A.B. Darcy Barkauskas then came to the plate and tallied an RBI single, bringing Kramer home to put the stamp on a great offensive showing for WMU.

Rissa Bajusz was the one to provide the boost on both offense and defense in game two, picking up the win in the circle while going 3-4 with three runs batted in and two runs scored thanks to her game-sealing homer in the sixth. Alyssa Kramer was 3-4 herself in addition to a pair of runs scored, while Darcy Barkauskas finished 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored herself.

Taylor Wolfe went 1-3 with two more runs scored, while Cassidy Brendtke, Reily Galloway, and Courtney Farrish all went 1-4 on the afternoon. Farrish delivered two RBI's via the long ball, while Galloway and Brendtke each added an RBI themselves.

The two teams will return to finish the series off tomorrow afternoon, and the Broncos' season finale against the Bobcats is scheduled for 12 p.m. from Ohio Softball Field. The contest will feature both a live stream and scoring for fans to follow along at home.

#LetsRide