KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Before the 2016 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament Champion baseball team are honored during Saturday's football game at home against Eastern Michigan, the 2017 squad squared off as they began the Annual Fall World Series at Hyames Field.
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The team honored two legendary former coaches at WMU in Fred Decker & Charlie Maher by naming the two teams after each one. Team Maher is headed by seniors Nick Vogelmeier, Alex Goodwin & Kyle Mallwitz. Team Decker is led by seniors Grant Miller, Gabe Berman & Tyler Frank.
In game one, Team Maher defeated Team Decker 7-4 as newcomer Andrew Reisinger earned the win and Jake Bartels earned the save. Team Decker was able to load the bases in the ninth inning, but a strikeout looking with Bartels on the mound sealed the win. Senior Gabe Berman, who is WMU's career save leader, got the start for Team Decker and pitched three scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
For Team Maher, sophomore Connor Smith, a 2016 All-American selection, went 4-for-5 with two stolen bases and an RBI. Senior Alex Goodwin went 3-for-6 with a double while junior Beau Filkins went 2-for-4 with two RBI and freshman Ethan Hajdukovic went 2-for-5 with two RBI.
For Coach Decker's squad, sophomore Conner Henderson had a good day going 3-for-4 with a home run and double. Sophomore Jimmy Roche drove in two runs on sacrifice flies while sophomore Jesse Forestell went 1-for-2 and drew three walks.
Game two of the annual Fall World Series will be on Friday, Oct. 28 with game three slated for Saturday, Oct. 29
