Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
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Western Michigan
Softball Spilts in MAC Opener
3/31/2006 7:09:52 PM | Softball
Eagles drop game one to WMU 4-0, but take game two, 6-5
YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University softball team split a pair of games in the Mid-American Conference opener against Western Michigan University here today at Varsity Field. EMU saw its six-game winning streak snapped in game one after a 4-0 loss. In game two, the Eagles secured a come-from-behind victory with a 6-5 win.
With the split, EMU moves to 13-16 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while the Broncos move to 13-8 and 1-1 in the league.
In game one, the Eagles had no answer for WMU ace Krysten Shumaker who turned in a complete game two hitter improving her to 7-2 on the season.
EMU junior pitcher Michelle Lloyd (Akron, Ohio-Archbishop Hoban) pitched 6.2 innings allowing two earned runs in the loss, falling to 2-7 on the season.
Four of the first six Bronco hitters singled in the first inning, which led to a 2-0 WMU advantage. Western added the final two runs in the seventh after two hits and two Eagle errors.
In game two, the Eagles rallied from a three-run deficit and held on for the 6-5 decision. The win marked the third come-from-behind victory for the Eagles in their last four games.
Junior pitcher Aimee Woodrum (Cincinnati, Ohio-Sycamore) tossed 5 and 2/3 innings in the win to move to 3-4. Senior pitcher Nikki Denman (Toledo, Ohio-Sylvania Southview) threw the final 1 and 1/3 innings in relief to pick up her second save of the season.
The Broncos scored three first-innings runs after the first four WMU batters all reached on singles. EMU responded in the fourth by batting around and posting five runs on the scoreboard. The inning was highlighted by a two-run triple by Denman followed by back-to-back doubles by senior catcher Katie Grens (Elgin, Ill.-Elgin) and junior outfielder Kayla Bluhardt (North Branch, Mich.-North Branch).
Western added a run in the fifth on a home run to center field by Amanda Heckman, bringing the score to 5-4. EMU added a run in the bottom half of the inning after a sacrifice fly off the bat of Linsdsey Ritz (Garden City, Mich.-Garden City).
A walk and an error lead to two Bronco base runners in the final inning, but Denman got the final batter to pop out to the catcher in foul territory to seal the victory.
The Eagles play again tomorrow, April 1, in MAC action with Northern Illinois. The game will be Family Day for EMU softball, with the parents and players being recognized before the 2 p.m. game.
