Box Score FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Western Michigan softball team suffered a 4-0 loss at Purdue Fort Wayne Friday afternoon.
Western Michigan tallied seven hits against the Mastodons with a standout performance from
Payton Kelly, who went 3-for-3 at bat.
Haleigh Smith added a solid at-bat for the Broncos going 1-for-2.
Haley Boxwell,
Cassidy Brendtke, and
Addison Hudson all contributed with 1-for-3 performances at bat.
Purdue Fort Wayne put two aboard to open the game, with loaded bases the Mastodon scoring started on a pair of walks and sacrifice fly from Sonia Solis, to score Taryn Jenkins and Taylor Warne on the subsequent at bat.
The Broncos threatened early in the second with a single up the middle by Boxwell followed by a single bunt by Kelly. Unfortunately, WMU was not able to capitalize on the opportunity and left runners on first and second.
Bailey Manos reached base at the bottom of the second to set up another opportunity for the Mastodons. Jenkins at the top of the order, sent a bomb over the wall to bring in Manos and round the bases herself for a 4-0 lead.
WMU challenged the Mastodons once again with a pair of singles from Kelly and Smith in the fifth. Kelly singled up the middle and Smith followed with a hit to right field. Kelly advanced to third and threatened home before an out at second retired the Broncos, without a run crossing the plate.
Western Michigan continued its strong offensive stance against Purdue Fort Wayne loading the bases in the seventh inning with the potential game-tying run at the plate. Despite the Broncos' best efforts, they were unable to overcome the early deficit.
Rissa Bajusz got the start for Western Michigan pitching 1.2 innings, allowing four earned runs and two Ks before
Autumn Godwin entered the circle. Godwin went the distance for WMU pitching 4.1 innings, allowing just two hits and six strikeouts to finish with four scoreless innings.
Western Michigan begins MAC play with a three-game series on the road at Bowling Green on March 28-29. The series will start on Tuesday with a single game at 3 pm followed by a doubleheader scheduled for 1 pm and 3 pm on Wednesday.
