KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan softball team swept Northern Illinois University on Tuesday after 2-0 and 2-1 thrillers at Ebert Field. In game one, the Broncos defeated the Huskies behind a career high-tying 13 strikeouts from senior pitcher Rissa Bajusz defensively and the game-winning home run at the plate. During game two, the Brown and Gold bested NIU behind a game-high two hits from junior Riley Dittmar and a game-best two RBI from sophomore Gabbie Evans.  

Game One

Both WMU and NIU defenses battled in game one, resulting in a combined six hits for the contest. After WMU saw four straight outs, Bajusz singled for the softball team's first hit of the day during the bottom of the second. Bajusz would continue to serve as a threat to NIU by recording a steal with two outs and putting herself into scoring position. Despite her single and steal, Bajusz and the Broncos were deadlocked at 0-0 entering the top of the third inning. 

Later, in the bottom of the sixth inning, Dittmar doubled with two outs and inserted herself into scoring position. However, before the junior could advance further, the Brown and Gold saw a collective three outs.  

After an efficient top of the seventh inning for Bajusz and the Bronco defense, Payton Kelly began the bottom of the seventh with a leadoff hit to left field. Advancing Kelly for the inning's first out was Haley Boxwell, who grounded out and sent Kelly to second base. With one on and one out, the senior Bajusz delivered with a home run to take game one 2-0 and improve the Bronco winning streak to four. 

Game Two

Following the game one victory, the Brown and Gold used the momentum from Bajusz's walk-off homerun in game two. During the second inning, the Broncos scored two runs to take an early 2-0 lead over the Huskies. After a leadoff single from Bajusz to begin the inning, the sophomore catcher Evans launched her second home run of the season to propel the softball team to a commanding 2-0 lead. 

NIU would respond with a run in the top of the third to cut the Bronco lead to one. In the bottom half of the inning, Dittmar hit a leadoff double and Kelly bunted a sacrifice to advance the junior to third. Despite the threat from the Brown and Gold, NIU prevented WMU from tacking on an extra run. 

After a standstill over the remaining three innings, Bajusz entered the circle in the top of the seventh inning to shut the door on the NIU offense. To begin her work, Bajusz would strike out the first NIU batter she faced. Following Bajusz's strikeout, NIU's baserunner was caught stealing for the second out of the inning. For the third and final out, Bajusz forced NIU into a flyout to conclude the game. 

Historical Notes 

This afternoon, Bajusz became the first player in program history to tally at least 160 strikeouts in consecutive seasons for the Brown and Gold. The senior pitcher is currently at 478 career K's and now owns sole possession of the third most strikeouts by a Bronco. 

As for Dittmar, she became the first player since Mackenzie Swinehart during the 2021 season to produce at least 40 hits and 20 RBI in a single season. 

Head coach Marlee Wilson continues to extend her record-breaking season during her first year at the helm: Collectively as a team, the Broncos have won 22 games and are two wins away from clinching a winning record for the second time since the 2012 season.

Up Next 

The WMU softball team will travel to Athens, Ohio to face Ohio University for a weekend series starting with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 20, at 1:00 PM.