GREENVILLE, S.C. – Western Michigan wrapped up its weekend at the First Pitch Invitational II with an 18-6 loss to Western Carolina on Sunday.
 
FINAL SCORE: Western Carolina 18, Western Michigan 6 (F/7)
LOCATION: Fluor Field (Greenville, S.C.)
RECORDS: Western Michigan (7-8) | Western Carolina (6-9)
W: Ryan White (1-1) | L: Turner Doran (1-1)
 
Western Michigan opened the scoring in the second. CJ Richmond got things started with a one-out single to extend his hitting streak to 11 in a row, the longest by a Bronco thus far in 2024. With two outs, Brendan Harrity singled, and an error on the play allowed Richmond to score all the way from first. Luke Kerrins then brought Harrity home with a base hit to make it 2-0.
 
The Catamounts took the lead in the third as they notched seven runs. WCU then tacked on three in the fourth and five in the fifth.
 
WMU loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the fifth, but was turned away as a line drive off of the bat of Michael Maloney was snared by the WCU first baseman, who took it to the bag to end the threat.
 
The Broncos tallied four runs in the top of the seventh, with a few freshmen picking up some career firsts. Tanner Mally opened the inning with a double for his first collegiate hit, and scored later in the frame on a ground ball off of the bat of Cooper Hums, who notched the first RBI of his career. Maloney earned an RBI with a ground ball as well, and Western Michigan then added a couple of two-out runs on a Cade Sullivan RBI double and Dylan Nevar run-scoring triple.
 
Western Carolina answered with three in the bottom of the inning to bring the game to an end.
 
Western Michigan returns to Kalamazoo for its Home Opener this coming weekend as it begins Mid-American Conference play with a three-game set against Toledo. The Broncos and Rockets are scheduled to begin the series at 3:05 pm on Friday from Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field. For tickets, visit wmubroncos.com/tickets.