(April 1) -- Freshman Erin Kucera's solo home run, the first of her career, in the bottom of the sixth inning lifted Miami to a 4-3 win over Western Michigan in the first game of a double-header. The Broncos took the nightcap, 6-5.

A pair of back-to-back solo home runs by sophomore Nicki Pelfrey and junior Kristina Mortaloni started a RedHawk rally in the fourth inning that was capped off by a single from senior Amy Dudley which scored junior Chrissy Martini that tied the game 3-3. Kucera's game-winning shot in the sixth inning left the final tally 4-3 in favor of the RedHawks for their first conference win of the season.

Miami out-hit the Broncos in the first game 7-4 with all seven hits coming from different batters. Sophomore Amber Arnold earned her fifth win of the season, pitching all seven inning, giving up three runs off four hits and striking out 10 batters. This was the fifth time this season Amber registered a double-digit strikeout performance.

Western opened up the second game by scoring four runs, but Miami came back and scored three to round out the first inning. The RedHawks tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning when Kucera knocked in freshman Jody Kermode, who was pinch running for freshman Angie Gerber, on a single. However, an in-the-park home run by WMU's Alaina Scott in the top of the seventh that also scored Jennifer Blott gave the Bronco's the 6-4 edge. Miami tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh when Mortaloni knocked in Pelfrey on a double to cut the WMU lead to one, but Western Michigan turned a double-play to end the game with the final score 6-5 in favor of the Broncos.

Sophomore Abbey Arnold picked up the loss for the RedHawks, pitching 6.1 innings. She gave up six runs (two earned) off eight hits and threw nine strikeouts.

Miami moves to 10-18 overall and 1-3 in league action, while the Broncos move to 5-16 overall and 1-3 in the MAC.

The RedHawks begin their 13-game (six double-headers and one single game) roadstand over the next two and a half weeks at 2 p.m. (CDT) Monday at Butler in a double-header.

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