NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Western Michigan softball team lost to Indiana State 2-0 Friday afternoon in game one of the Roar City Invitational. Senior pitcher Rissa Bajusz led all players with two hits in the loss.
Bajusz's first hit occurred in the bottom of the second inning as a single down the right field line to put the Broncos on base with two outs. Following Bajusz's hit, Cassidy Brendtke walked and the Broncos found themselves with two on and one out. Despite the two base runners, the Broncos saw two consecutive outs to conclude the inning.
Later, in the bottom of the third inning Riley Dittmar singled and improved her hitting streak to a fourth consecutive game, which tied her second longest hitting streak of her career. Dittmar's personal best hitting streak is five consecutive games in which she set during her freshman year at Eastern Illinois from February 10, 2022- February 18, 2022. After a Bronco popup, Dittmar stole second and Haley Boxwell walked to put two on and two out in the inning. However, the Broncos would see two base runners stranded at the end of the third inning.
Indiana State would score its first run during the top of the fourth inning and its second run in the top of the sixth inning Friday. Later, in the bottom half of the fourth, Bajusz would see her second hit of the game and reached base off of a bunt. With her hit in the fourth inning, Bajusz recorded her second multi hit game this season.
Indiana State scored its final run in the top of the sixth to take a 2-0 lead over the Brown and Gold. During the sixth and seventh innings the Broncos were unable to reach base and would drop Friday's afternoon matchup.
Historical Notes
Bajusz's 10 strikeouts against Indiana State today matched her career high in the strikeout category. With her 10 K's, Bajusz has tallied 324 career strikeouts and counting for the Brown and Gold which ranks eighth all time in program history. Bajusz now trails Allyson Kus, (2013-16) by 44 strikeouts for sole possession of seventh most strikeouts recorded in program history.
Up Next
Due to weather conditions WMU's second game versus UT Martin was canceled. Please check wmubroncos.com and @wmusoftball_ on Instagram, @wmusoftball on X, and @westernmichigansoftball on Facebook for more updates on the status of WMU's upcoming games.
