CLEARWATER, FL- The Maine softball team built a 5-1 lead after three and a half innings on Wednesday afternoon but Western Michigan rallied to defeat the Black Bears 8-5.
Rachel Harvey paced the Maine offense with two hits and three runs batted in while Janelle Bouchard had two hits, an RBI and two runs scored and Erika Leonard also had a pair of hits along with a run scored and a stolen base.
The Broncos started the comeback with a run in the bottom of the fourth and then took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth on a grand slam homer from Sabrina Gamboa. Western Michigan (7-9) added to its lead with two runs in the sixth to put the game away on a two run homer from Erin Binkowski, who hit already her sixth homer of the spring.
Erin Bogdonavich started in the circle for Maine. She went three innings allowing two earned runs on nine hits and two walks. Molly Flowers got tagged with the loss, falling to 1-1, as she allowed three earned runs on two hits along with a walk and one strikeout in her inning and two thirds pitched. Allyson Kus went the distance for Western Michigan allowing only two earned runs in her seven innings of work.
Maine, now 2-2, returns to action Friday against Western Michigan again at 9:15 a.m. before facing off with Butler at 2:15 p.m.
Maine 3 0 2 0 0 0 0- 5 8 1
WMich 1 0 0 1 4 2 x- 8 11 3
Runners Left on Base- Maine 7, W. Michigan 7
