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University of Akron
3/27/2026 | 3:00 PM
Mar. 27 (Fri) / 3:00 PM
 University of Akron
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan softball team overcame a seven-run deficit and led for all of the second game in a doubleheader win over the Oakland Golden Grizzlies 16-13 and 9-2.
The Broncos combined for 27 hits and 25 runs across two games on Tuesday afternoon at Ebert Field, moving their season record to above .500 at 14-13. Along with connecting on almost 30 hits over the afternoon, WMU had six home runs and six other multi-base hits while setting a new season high for home runs in a game with four in the second game of the doubleheader.
The Brown and Gold’s offense on Tuesday was led by Bella Duncan with six hits on nine at-bats and adding 8 RBIs. Five pitchers appeared in the circle for Western Michigan with sophomore Kaylee Sayler and MAC Pitcher of the Week Hannah Potts recording the two wins.
Oakland came out of the gate swinging in the first game of the day, scoring six runs on five hits in the first inning. The Grizzlies added on to their lead in the top of the third with a single and a throwing error to have the Broncos facing a seven-run deficit going into the bottom of the third. WMU’s offense started to come alive in the third, scoring its first runs of the day on a single and a double from catcher Jordan Smith and outfielder Rylee O’Brien.
The Brown and Gold’s defense held Oakland scoreless to begin the fourth before having another big inning at the plate. Western Michigan almost batted through its order in the bottom of the fourth as three Broncos had hits, scoring four runs. Heading into the fifth inning, WMU had erased most of the Grizzlies lead, making it only a one run game.
Oakland responded on offense in the fifth, scoring on a two-run homer and a stand-up triple to push its lead up to four runs. But the Grizzlies multiple run lead only lasted five at bats into the bottom of the fifth inning when Duncan hit her sixth home run of the season to right center. Duncan’s home run brought three Brown and Gold players across home plate, again making it just a one run game with only two innings left.
Western Michigan’s defense had its first 1-2-3 inning of the day in the top of the sixth, keeping Oakland’s offense quiet. The Broncos offense was then able to take advantage in the bottom of the sixth, batting through their entire lineup and then some. Despite a strikeout to begin the half inning, a solo home run for Smith tied the game at 10 runs each.
WMU’s next seven batters all reached base, with five runners scoring to give the Brown and Gold their first lead of the afternoon at 15-10. Western Michigan added one more run before the end of the sixth with a single down the right field line for infielder Analeez Niles. But the Grizzlies weren’t going to go down without a fight, as their first three batters of the seventh inning reached base.
Oakland quickly scored three runs after reaching base. A sacrifice fly followed by a double to right center cut the Bronco lead down to only three runs. But relief pitcher Hannah Potts locked in as she faced the final two batters of the game, striking out both, to help WMU to its 16-13 win over the Grizzlies. The Brown and Gold used four pitchers in their first game with junior Casey Fazzini spending the most time in the circle with 3.2 innings pitched while Salyer earned the win in her 1.2 innings, allowing only three hits while striking out a batter.
Western Michigan kept its offensive firepower going in the second game, scoring three runs in the first two innings. Niles had her first of two home runs in the back half of the doubleheader in the opening inning. The solo shot gave the Broncos an early 1-0 lead that they added onto in the second inning.
After two WMU players were hit by a pitch back-to-back, a failed pickoff attempt resulted in the team’s second run of the game. The Brown and Gold then loaded the bases two at-bats later as shortstop Caitlin Tighe and Niles were walked in succession. Oakland put in a new pitcher after Niles walk, but a wild pitch from the reliever scored Western Michigan’s third run.
The Broncos had one of only two innings where they went down in order in the third. But WMU bounced right back in the fourth inning with a lead-off double from outfielder Emily Lampela. The Brown and Gold added on four more runs in the bottom of the fourth with a sacrifice bunt and two back-to-back home runs.
Niles had her second home run in as many at-bats while Jordan Smith also had her second home run of the day after putting one over the Ebert Field fence in the first game of the afternoon. Going into the fifth inning Western Michigan held a 7-0 advantage with only five half innings to go. The Grizzlies did break their shutout in the top of the fifth with a home run of their own, making it a 7-2 game.
The Broncos didn’t score in the top of the fifth but did find two more runs in the sixth. Back at the top of the order, Duncan led off with a single to left. She was soon brought home by Tighe who hit WMU’s fourth home run of the game past the left center wall. The Brown and Gold held onto their 9-2 lead in the top of the seventh as Oakland was retired in order, winning the second game for the series sweep.
Potts earned the victory in the circle for Western Michigan, pitching 5.0 innings while striking out seven batters. Duncan pitched the final two innings for the Broncos, facing six batters, none of which reached base. Duncan was also one of three WMU batters with a team-high two hits. Niles and O’Brien added multiple hits while Niles led the team in RBIs with three.
The Brown and Gold will continue their homestand later this week as they return to conference play. Western Michigan will host the Akron Zips for a three-game series at Ebert Field starting on Friday, March 27. Akron currently leads the MAC with a 5-1 conference record, which the Broncos will try to change starting at 3 p.m. on Friday.