BOX SCORE
YPSILANTI, Mich.- Home runs by Matthew Abro and Neal Miller in the eighth sparked a late-inning rally, but the Broncos couldn't overcome a five-run deficit as Western Michigan (20-11-1, 5-5 MAC) fell to Eastern Michigan at Oestrike Stadium, 5-4.
It was a pitchers' dual through the first five innings of play as WMU's Ethan Hollingsworth and EMU's Sean Hoffman each threw shutout ball. The Eagles (11-24, 8-2 MAC) were able to get to Hollingsworth in the sixth, as he walked the first batter and plunked the second with a pitch. Eastern Michigan took a 3-0 lead with a pair of singles and an RBI fielder's choice.
Hollingsworth got roughed up for two more runs in the seventh. The Eagles scored on two hits and two errors, taking a 5-0 lead.
Abro and Miller's long balls in the eighth finally put Western Michigan in the scoring column, pulling within two, 5-3. Abro cranked a two-run homer to left field and Miller went deep an out later, sending a solo shot over the fence in right field.
Tim Mowry replaced Hollingsworth on the mound in the bottom of the eighth and was able to get out of the inning unscathed after giving up a triple with one out.
Still trailing by two runs, WMU had one last chance to even things up in the ninth but only mustered one run as the rally fell short. With one out, Grant Simotes singled up the middle and Zach Gentile reached safely on an infield bunt. A fly ball led to the second out before Chris Lewis drove in a run with a shallow single to right field. A groundout with runners on the corners ended the Broncos' comeback attempt.
Western Michigan missed out on scoring opportunities throughout the game, stranding nine runners. Seven of those base runners were in scoring position, and five made it as far as third base. The Broncos also out-hit Eastern Michigan, 12-7. Abro and Gentile led WMU with three hits apiece, each hitting a double. Simotes had two hits and Joe Sheets recorded his team-leading fourth triple of the season.
Hollingsworth was handed his third loss of the year, as his record slipped to 4-3. All five runs allowed were earned. He struck out six batters and gave up six hits in 7.0 innings.
EMU's Hoffman (1-2) earned the win, going seven and two-thirds innings, scattering nine hits and three earned runs while striking out five. Robert Wendzicki recorded the save, entering the game in the ninth inning for the Eagles.
Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan continue the three-game series tomorrow, April 19, with a 3 p.m. contest.
