Eagles Unable to Hold Off Broncos in Doubleheader

Re-Listen to the Game.

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University softball team was unable to pick up a Mid-American Conference victory, falling twice to Western Michigan University at Varsity Field, April 18.

With the losses, the Eagles fall to 9-29 overall and 0-10 in the MAC. Meanwhile, the Broncos improve to 15-26 overall and an even 6-6 in conference play.

The Green and White offense was propelled by Amanda Stanton who tallied three hits and two RBI on the day, while Abby Davidson, Lindsay Rich and Michelle Kriegshauser each notched three hits for EMU and Lindsay Smith drove in two runs. Freshman Abbie Minkser (2-4) suffered the loss in both contests, starting game one and coming on in relief in game two.

Game One: Western Michigan 4, Eastern Michigan 1

Just three pitches into the contest, Melissa Palmer launched a home run over the center field fence to give the Broncos the early 1-0 lead. Minsker and her defense were able to retire the three outs they needed, allowing just two further hits.

Back-to-back singles through the left side of the infield put runners in scoring position for Western Michigan, while a single to the opposite field knocked in the Broncos' second run of the contest with two outs.

Three straight singles loaded the bases for WMU in the top of the fourth inning with no outs, but Eastern Michigan retired the next three batters to get out of the inning unscathed. The Eagles looked to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning when Kriegshauser doubled down the left field line before Stanton singled to shallow right field and advanced to second on the throw by the right fielder. The Green and White was unable to push a run across the plate as the Western retired the outs it needed.

Western Michigan continued to add to its run total in the top of the sixth inning, loading the bases on three hits. Rich went to work in the circle sitting down two batters on looking strikeouts, but a shallow hit ball to left field brought in one run before an error tallied a second WMU run.

Eastern grabbed some momentum in the bottom of the sixth, scoring its first run in 14 innings when Davidson led off the inning with a double down the left field line. Davidson then advanced to third on a Bronco error and touched home when Stanton hit a ball up the middle and reached on the fielder's choice.

Western outhit the Eagles, 14-5, while stranding 14 base runners compared to EMU's four. Stanton led the Green and White offense with two hits and an RBI, while Minsker (2-3) suffered the loss in the circle tossing 2.2 innings.

Game Two: Western Michigan 8 Eastern Michigan 5 (8 inn.)

The Eagles were the first to light up the scoreboard in game two when Davidson was issued a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Taylor Wagner. Davidson advanced 60 feet when she stole third and came around to score on a Kriegshauser single to left field. Smith extended the Green and White lead to 3-0 when she drove a two-run homer to straightaway center field.

Western started to chip away at the EMU lead in the top of the third inning, scoring two runs on two hits and stranding one runner. The Eagles were able to maintain the 3-2 lead heading into the top of the fourth with the top of the order set to dig in to the box.

Eastern answered back in the bottom of the third when Kriegshauser doubled to the left field wall before Stanton placed a shallow single on the right field line to plate Kriegshauser.

After two scoreless innings, Western's Megan Stamm drove a three-run round tripper over the left center field fence to give the Broncos the 5-4 advantage in the bottom of the sixth. The Eagles knotted the score at 5-5 in the bottom half of the inning when senior Lauren Wells lined a single up the middle, plating Lucas.

With the top of the bottom due up in the bottom of the seventh, Davidson knocked a leadoff single before advancing to second on a hit by pitch issued to Kriegshauser . The Eagles loaded the bases on a Smith single just inches down the third base line, but a close play at first on a Jenn Lucas knock retired the final out sending the contest into extra innings.

In the top of the eighth inning, Western used two-straight singles and a walk to load the bases before designated player Loren Nagy doubled off the left center wall to bring in two runs. The Broncos added one more security run on an Eagle error to take the 8-5 lead into the bottom of the inning.

EMU was unable to score in the bottom of the ninth, allowing Western to take the 8-5 victory over Eastern Michigan. Nagy and Stamm led the WMU offense in game two with three RBI apiece, while Kus picked up her second win of the afternoon coming on in relief.

Eastern was led by Smith in game two as she notched two RBI on two hits, while Davidson, Kriegshauser and Rich each had two hits for the EMU offense.

The Eagles will be back in action Saturday, April 19 when they take on Northern Illinois University in a 2 p.m. contest.

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Team Stats

Amanda Stanton

Abby Davidson

Michelle Kriegshauser

Lindsay Rich

Eastern Michigan Athletics