Softball Completes Sweep of WMU

Box score.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Junior Jessica Grant drove in five runs as the Eastern Michigan University softball team cruised to a 9-2 decision over Western Michigan University Sunday afternoon here at Fran Ebert Field. The Broncos jumped on the board first with a run in the second inning before the Eagles would roll off nine unanswered to cruise to the Mid-American Conference victory.

The victory marks Eastern’s six win in its last eight tries and pushes the squad’s record to 10-15 (3-1 MAC) on the season. On the other side of the field, Western Michigan, the preseason favorite to win the MAC West Division, drops to 9-9 (1-3 MAC).

Grant was the offensive story for the Green and White, recording a pair of doubles and driving in five runs on the afternoon. Senior Lindsay Schmid also contributed by driving in a pair in going 2-for-4 at the plate. Freshman Jenny Scherer and sophomore Heather Han rounded out the list of Eagles with a run batted in. In the circle, senior Michelle Lloyd tossed 5.2 innings allowing just four hits and two runs to up her record to 4-5 on the year.

For WMU, Amanda Heckaman recorded a perfect day at the plate, going 2-for-2 that included a solo homerun. Sarah Thomas drove in the only other Bronco run with double in the bottom of the sixth inning. Megan Thomas took the loss, lasting just 4.2 innings giving up seven runs and eight hits.

The Brown and Gold drew first blood in the bottom of the second when Heckaman drove a Lloyd offering over the centerfield fence to give WMU the 1-0 edge. Things remained that way until the fourth inning when EMU started to find its groove at the plate. Junior Ashley Strauss singled to left field and advanced to second as Schmid reached on a fielding error. Scherer would load the bases with a single back to the pitcher. Strauss would come home on a groundout and then Schmid and Scherer would score via a single to center to give EMU the 3-1 advantage.

The fourth would open much the same for Eastern Michigan with a single up the middle by senior Lauren Clark. Clark would advance to second via a sacrifice bunt. Following a fly out, Schmid would walk to put runners at first at second. Scherer would line a single to center to drive in Clark and make it 4-1. A fielding error would load the bases, allowing Grant to clear the bases with a double to left center to expand the Eagles margin to six, 7-1.

EMU would add two more runs in the top of the sixth and WMU would tack on a run on its own in the bottom of the frame to make it 9-2.

Head coach Karen Baird’s crew returns to non-conference action Wednesday, April 4, with a doubleheader versus the University of Detroit Mercy. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m. at Buysse Ballpark in Detroit.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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