AKRON, Ohio — Western Michigan (29–25) defeated Ohio (39–19) in a tense 7–6 victory at Firestone Stadium. The Broncos rallied with a decisive three-run seventh inning, overcoming a one-run deficit to secure the win. Jordan Smith contributed significantly with a home run, adding to the team's seven hits and six RBIs.

Bella Duncan stood out for Western Michigan with a strong performance, recording two runs and two RBIs, including a home run. Caitlin Tighe also contributed significantly to the team's success, driving in two runs with an RBI double. On the mound, Hannah Potts delivered a solid outing, pitching 5.2 innings and striking out seven batters. Analeez Niles contributed both a run and an RBI while Emily Lampela added value to the lineup by scoring once and drawing a walk.

Belle Hummel emerged as a key contributor for the Bobcats, crossing home plate twice and drawing a walk, showcasing her ability to get on base effectively. Sydney Young also made a significant impact by hitting a home run, accounting for one of her team's runs and adding an RBI to her performance. On the mound, Skipp Miller delivered a strong performance, striking out eight batters over 7 innings, although allowing four earned runs. These players played pivotal roles in their respective areas, contributing to the team's overall efforts.

This victory propels the Broncos back to the MAC Softball Championship for the first time since 2015. No. 6 Western Michigan will now take on No. 1 Akron in the 2026 MAC Softball Championship finals at 2:20pm this afternoon.