KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan softball split Sunday's doubleheader with Miami, dropping game one, 11-0, and bouncing back with a 2-1 victory in game two.
Western Michigan's record now stands at 10-13 on the season and 4-1 in the Mid-American Conference. Miami is 17-14 overall and 5-6 in the MAC.
FINAL SCORE (G1): Miami 11, Western Michigan 0
LOCATION: Ebert Field (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
RECORDS: Miami (17-13, 5-5 MAC) | Western Michigan (9-13, 3-1 MAC)
W: Brianna Pratt (12-7)
| L: Rissa Bajusz (5-5)
FINAL SCORE (G2): Western Michigan 2, Miami 1
LOCATION: Ebert Field (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
RECORDS: Western Michigan (10-13, 4-1 MAC) | Miami (17-14, 5-6 MAC)
W: Rissa Bajusz (6-5)
| L: Brianna Pratt (12-8)
MIAMI 11, WESTERN MICHIGAN 0
Miami downed the Brown & Gold in six innings, headlined by a five-run sixth inning.
Rissa Bajusz got the start for WMU pitching 1.2 innings, allowing three hits and earned runs each before
Autumn Godwin entered as a relief. Godwin went 1.2 innings for the Broncos, allowing four hits and three earned runs. Both Bajusz and Godwin claimed one strikeout in game one.
Caitlyn Mullins went the distance pitching 2.1 innings. She surrendered five hits and earned runs each. Mullins registered two strikeouts in game one.
WESTERN MICHIGAN 2, MIAMI 1
Junior Bajusz returned to the pitcher's circle in game two and hurled a complete seven innings for the win. She surrendered four hits, one earned run, and struck out six.
Miami got on the board early in the top of the first with a leadoff homer by Jenna Golembiewski. Golembiewski claimed her second home run of the day to earn the 1-0 lead for the RedHawks.
WMU would answer with a solid defense, retiring Miami in order in the second. Bajusz added a trio of strikeouts in the third to post another 1-2-3 outing.
Western Michigan evened the score in the bottom of the fifth on a
Riley Chumbley RBI single to center field to score
Haleigh Smith.
The Broncos continued their momentum in the sixth with back-to-back singles from
Addison Hudson and
Alyssa Kramer. A sacrifice bunt by
Courtney Farrish advanced Kramer and Hudson to threaten the RedHawks.
Cassidy Brendtke rang in the game-winning RBI with a single through right field to bring Kramer home.
The Broncos finished game two with six hits and two runs batted in to clinch a 2-1 victory.
ON DECK
The Western Michigan softball team continues its play at Ebert Field on Tuesday, April 4, hosting Purdue Fort Wayne for a 2:30 pm single game. Tuesday's contest will be available via Bronco All-Access and Live Stats.
