NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Western Michigan softball team split its final two games at the Roar City Invitational Sunday. In game one, the Broncos defeated UT Martin 3-2 behind a career-high nine strikeouts from Kailey O'Connor, as well as two hits from the pitcher. In game two, the Brown and Gold would lose to Tennessee State University 4-3. Payton Kelly would lead the Broncos with a team high two hits and also notched her first home run of the season. 

Game One 

The Broncos and Skyhawks battled back and forth during WMU's first game of the day Sunday. 

UT Martin would score all two of their runs in the bottom of the second inning to take an early lead over the Brown and Gold: The Skyhawks saw their two runs after four players were able to reach base during the inning. After the Broncos struggled to reach base over the third inning, Rissa Bajusz was able to reach base after drawing a leadoff walk during the top of the fourth to kickstart the Bronco offense. To advance Bajusz, Megan Welsh would bunt and the pitcher found herself at third base in prime scoring position. Later in the inning with two outs, the Broncos were able to cash in after Cassidy Brendke singled to center field and drove in Bajusz. After a single by O'Connor the Broncos would head to the bottom of the fourth down one. 

After a stand still over the next inning and a half, WMU managed to pile on two runs during the top of the sixth to take a crucial 3-2 lead over UT Martin. With one out in the inning, O'Connor would single to left field and advanced Caitlin Tighe to third base to put runners at the corners early in the top of the sixth. Pinch hitting for the Broncos, Riley Chumbley was able to advance O'Connor and scored Tighe after a throwing error once Chumbley was out at first.  

Maintaining their momentum, WMU would score yet again in the sixth inning to take a 3-2 lead. Addison Hudson would single while Dittmar walked to put pressure on the UT Martin defense. After a wild pitch, O'Connor reached home and in turn, scored the winning run for the Brown and Gold. To close out game one, Bajusz would record three strikeouts in the seventh inning to capture the Brown and Gold's fourth win of the season. 

Game Two 

During the second game of Sunday's action, the Broncos lost a close battle to TSU after both teams recorded seven hits each. 

The Broncos were able to strike first during game two and took a 1-0 lead after Kelly crushed her first home run of the season with one out in the inning. After a single from Bajusz, Welsh would advance her teammate by grounding out. However, the Brown and Gold were unable to score the pitcher before recording three outs.

After neither team could gain momentum over another, TSU would take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning after capitalizing on a two run home run. TSU would eventually build a lead of three after scoring two additional runs in the bottom of the third inning. 

The softball team would attempt to mount their comeback during the top of the fifth: Down 4-1, Brendtke would walk and Smith would convert on a bunt single to put two on and nobody out early in the inning. After a ground out from Hudson, Smith would advance to second, while Tighe advanced to third with only one out in the inning. The Broncos would pull within a single run after Dittmar singled up the middle, which scored Smith and Tighe, to make it a 4-3 ball game with two outs remaining. Despite the momentum, the Brown and Gold saw back to back outs to conclude the inning. 

The Brown and Gold would record three hits over the final two innings, but could not score the tying run against TSU Sunday. Chumbley reached first in the sixth inning off of a single and O'Connor and Kelly rounded out the Bronco offense by tacking on two additional singles in the top of the seventh inning. 

Historical Notes 

Bajusz's 12 combined strikeouts in games one and two improved her career total to 330. She is now 35 strikeouts away from passing Allyson Kus (2013-16) and claiming the seventh most strikeouts recorded in program history. 

Up Next 

The softball team will resume play at "The Spring Games" located in Madeira Beach, Florida. The Brown and Gold will kickoff play in Florida against University at Albany on Friday, March 1, at 1:00 PM.