The Bulls (11-13, 3-2 MAC) won the first match in Sunday’s double header against the Western Michigan Broncos (11-14, 1-4 MAC) but lost the second game 1-0.
The first game remained scoreless for two innings. The Broncos got two players on first and second with only one out during the top of the third, but fifth-year pitcher Alexis Lucyshyn ended the inning with a strikeout and then a groundout.
Lucyshyn’s heroics continued into the bottom of the third, when she hit a two-run home run with two outs on the board, bringing the score to 2-0. Sophomore outfielder Mia Mitchell immediately followed that with an infield single, and soon after senior second basewoman Tianna Williams hit a double, scoring Mitchell and locking in what would be a 3-0 lead for the Bulls.
Lucyshyn earned her fifth complete game shutout of the season, allowing just four hits and racking up five strikeouts.
The second game of the day was close, with a scoreless first five innings. Senior pitcher Julia Tarantino threw eight strikeouts in the first five innings, but only Bulls — senior outfielder Sara Kelly and Mitchell — each got a hit.
Then, in the top of the sixth, Broncos senior catcher Haley Boxwell got on base with a single. A sacrifice bunt, another single and a fielder’s choice gave the Broncos a 1-0 lead and, ultimately, the win.
The Bulls take on another double header, this time against the Niagara Purple Eagles at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. The games can be streamed on YouTube.
The sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
