CLINTON, S.C. – The Western Michigan University softball team opened its 50^th season with a bang, winning four straight games at the Blue Hose Invitational hosted by the Presbyterian Blue Hose.

The Broncos had a perfect opening weekend for the first time in over 20 years at the Blue Hose Invitational. WMU's bats were hot, averaging eight hits, over nine runs, a double, one and a half triples, and a home run for the weekend. The Brown and Gold were led at the plate by junior outfielder Megan Malartsik as she went 3-of-6 for a .500 batting average with a triple and three RBIs. In the circle, freshman Hannah Potts earned two wins, striking out 13 batters in 9.2 innings while allowing only two earned runs for an ERA of 1.45.

Western Michigan had its toughest test of the weekend early against the Dayton Flyers. In their first of two games this season, the Broncos outlasted Dayton 3-2 in a game that went into extras. The Flyers struck first on Friday with an RBI single in the first. Dayton then extended its lead to two in the fourth on a loaded bases walk. WMU's offense found its footing to tie the game up in the bottom of the sixth, starting with a lead-off walk for designated player Jordan Smith.

Pinch runner Emily Yacapraro scored on the next play as freshman infielder Bella Duncan slapped a triple into right field for the Brown and Gold's first run of the season. Duncan scored the tying run right after as third baseman Hannah Herman hit a sacrifice bunt to third base. It wasn't until the ninth inning that either team broke through the tie. With freshman Kendall Kotzmacher on second as the ghost runner, outfielder Parker Ostach led off with a triple to center, giving Western Michigan the 3-2 win in extras. In the circle, freshman Ava Geyer earned her first collegiate win, pitching five innings with eight strikeouts and allowing only a hit.

The Broncos had their first of two run rule games to begin the second day of the Blue Hose Invitational. WMU had an offensive explosion against the Morehead State Eagles, scoring 16 runs on 11 hits in a five-inning 16-3 victory. Junior outfielder Emily Lampela tied a program record in the big win, bringing in eight runs on two home runs, including the Brown and Gold's first grand slam of the season. Also earning multiple hits in the victory was shortstop Caitlin Tighe, and second baseman Duncan. In the circle, freshman Hannah Potts picked up her first win for Western Michigan, pitching 3.2 innings with six strikeouts while allowing four hits and no earned runs.

The Broncos second game on Saturday was a more back and forth affair with the hosts, Presbyterian. WMU got on the board first in the top of the third as Duncan doubled to left field with the bases loaded, scoring everyone but herself. The Blue Hose had their first runs of the game in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the Brown and Gold lead to only a run with a two-run double.

Presbyterian took the lead in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four runs on five hits. Down by three runs with only an inning left, Western Michigan's offense wasn't deterred with a lead-off walk for junior Analeez Niles. A strikeout followed by another walk set up the Broncos first scoring play of the seventh. Malartsik put a single in right field to score pinch runner Haleigh Smith. WMU tied the game up on the next play as a fielding error on Lampela's at-bat scored two more runs. The Brown and Gold retook the lead two at-bats later as Duncan hit her first collegiate home run, bringing herself and Herman home for an 8-6 lead. Western Michigan's defense had a big final half inning on Saturday, taking down the Blue Hose to earn its third win of the weekend. Junior Casey Fazzini picked up the win in the circle, pitching the final 1.1 innings with a strikeout and allowing no hits.

The Broncos ended their first weekend of play with another offensive explosion, taking down the Le Moyne Dolphins 10-1 in only five innings. Neither team scored in the first inning, but WMU added at least two runs for the next four innings. Junior Caitlin Tighe led the Brown and Gold offense with two hits and five RBIs as she hit a three-run homer in the top of the third to give Western Michigan a 6-0 lead. Tighe brought in two more runs the following inning with a triple to right center. Also adding RBIs for the Broncos was Malartisk, Lili Janeczko, Haleigh Smith, and Rylee O'Brien in the 10-1 win. Potts recorded her second win of the weekend in the circle, pitching 2.0 innings with three strikeouts and allowing two hits.

WMU will be back in action next week at the Mardi Gras Classic hosted by South Alabama. The Brown and Gold are scheduled for five games in the Yellowhammer State against Jacksonville State, UAB, and hosts South Alabama. The first game of the weekend for Western Michigan is set for Friday, Feb. 13 against Jacksonville State with first pitch at 1:30 p.m. EST.