ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Western Michigan softball team defeated Oakland University 3-2 behind a game-high two RBI's from Gabbie Evans. Defensively, senior pitcher Rissa Bajusz would post a game-high nine strikeouts in five innings after facing 18 batters. 

After being held to two hits during the first four innings Tuesday, the Brown and Gold would strike first during the top of the fifth inning: With Riley Dittmar up to bat, she would double and score teammate Cassidy Brendtke to help the Broncos break the 0-0 deadlock over the Grizzlies. 

Despite the 1-0 lead, Oakland responded and scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a pivotal 2-1 lead over WMU.
 
Following the conclusion of the sixth inning, the Brown and Gold were down to their last three outs as they began the top of the seventh. To start the inning, Taylor Garey led off the seventh with a walk. Riley Chumbley would then follow Garey's walk with a double down the left field line and advanced Bronco pinch runner Elliot Sanders to third base. After recording their second to last out in the inning, Dittmar was hit by a pitch, which in turn loaded the bases for pinch hitter Evans. Down to their last out of the game, the sophomore catcher produced in the clutch and singled for WMU. In the process of her single, Evans would score Chumbley and Sanders to help the Broncos reclaim the lead at 3-2. 

In the seventh and final inning, Jensen Gremillion would close out the game in an efficient fashion. The senior pitcher would force Oakland to three flyouts in four at-bats to conclude Tuesday's contest. 

Historical Notes 

With her nine punchouts against the Golden Grizzlies, Bajusz now ranks fifth all-time in program history with 402 career strikeouts and counting. The senior pitcher is nine strikeouts from passing Angie Rosich (1994-97) for the fourth-most strikeouts created for the Brown and Gold.

Up Next

The WMU softball team will host the University of Akron on Friday, March 29, at Ebert Field for their Challenger League Game at 3:00 PM.