Streaks Come To An End As Softball Falls To Broncos

April 12, 2003

KALAMAZOO -- Many streaks came to an end for the Central Michigan University softball team as the Chippewas were swept in a doubleheader by the rival Western Michigan University Broncos on Saturday. Game scores were 3-0 and 2-1.

CMU falls to 19-10 overall and 8-3 in conference play while WMU improves to 18-17 overall, 8-4 in MAC action.

The losses snapped CMU's 10-game winning streak and ended the Chippewas' 11 straight victories in the series. CMU was swept by WMU in a doubleheader for the first time since 1989 and it marked the first time the Chippewas were swept in a MAC doubleheader since losing two to Northern Illinois in 1999.

The Broncos won a 3-0 decision in game one as CMU was shutout for just the third time this season.

Western Michigan rallied for two runs in the fourth and another in the sixth.

Amber Puchalski (9-4) took the loss to fall to 9-4. She went 4.0 innings and allowed four hits and two runs (both earned). She struck out five but walked three. Freshman Jessica Garvin came on in relief and allowed one run on three hits.

Junior Laura Stewart (4-3) tossed the three-hit shutout for the Broncos. She fanned eight and didn't walk a batter.

Amy Fleming's two-run triple off the wall in right scored the Broncos' runs in the fourth and Stephanie Scheumann plated pinch runner Mary McCloskey with an RBI double in the sixth. Gina Dobbs walked to lead off the inning before she was pinch ran for by Scheumann.

The Chippewas couldn't get the bats to heat up in the opener and CMU only had a runner in scoring position three times in the contest. The Broncos had seven hits and committed one error.

The second game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth when WMU broke through for two runs. The Broncos had back-to-back singles and a walk to load the bases with no outs. After a ground out force at the plate for an out, Jaymie Voss singled to right scoring two. However, the Broncos were pegged for an out at the plate as a third runner tried scoring on the play.

CMU came back in the top of the sixth for a run. Brittany Decker tripled down the right field line to start the inning and she scored on a sacrifice fly by Michelle Brander.

Jenni Rasmussen (6-4) took the loss for CMU after winning 14 straight against conference foes. She allowed six hits and two earned runs. The righty struck out four and walked one. Leah Seffernick (10-6) notched the win while fanning eight.

CMU had six hits and three errors while WMU also tallied six hits but committed no errors.

Aimee Smith tallied two of the CMU's hits in the nightcap, a pair of singles.

The two teams play a single game on Sunday at Ebert Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.