Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Broncos had bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn't plate the tying run as Western Michigan (21-15-1, 6-9 MAC) fell to Ball State, 7-6, Sunday at Hyames Field.
After taking an early 1-0 lead on a Kyle Galbraith RBI groundout in the second, WMU had to fight from behind as the Cardinals (24-16, 9-6 MAC) rattled off six runs over the next two innings. The Brown & Gold pulled even, 6-6, tallying five runs in the fifth inning, but a score by Ball State in the seventh proved to be the winning run.
With two outs and runners on the corners in the top of the seventh, BSU's Matt Stoeklen darted for second base. WMU catcher Kevan Hess' pickoff throw sailed high and found its way into the outfield, allowing Zach Dygert to trot home from third and score the go-ahead run.
Western Michigan couldn't close in on its opportunity in the ninth, loading the bases with one out on a pair of walks by Zach Gentile and Chris Lewis and an infield single by Matthew Abro, coming up short with a popout and a groundout to end the game.
Abro led the way at the plate for Western Michigan, batting 4-for-4 with two runs scored. Six other Broncos had one hit each as WMU recorded 10 total. Galbraith had a team-high three RBIs, while Gentile drove in two.
WMU right-hander Brian Stroud got off to a good start through the first two innings, but things got away from him in the third, as he loaded the bases and walked in a run. The Cardinals came away with their second run of the day with an RBI groundout before reliever Ross Westdorp could get out of the inning.
Westdorp ran into his own trouble in the fourth, giving up four runs on three singles, a walk and a double as BSU built a 6-1 lead.
Knocked down briefly, the Broncos weren't out for the count as they rallied in the bottom of the fifth to tie the score at six all. Batting through the lineup, WMU scored five runs on six hits and had a chance to come away with more as they left the bases loaded.
Derek Mosher and Hess started off the fifth with back-to-back base hits and moved up to second and third on a sac bunt by Joe McDonald. Gentile ripped a two-run double to center field, pulling WMU within three, 6-3. A groundout gave the Brown & Gold its second out of the frame and with the runner still on second, Chris Lewis knocked a single through the right side to score Gentile. Abro kept things going with a double to left field, but Lewis was held up at the corner. Joe Sheets drew a walk, setting the table for Galbraith, who sent a hopper through the left side just past the outstretched glove of the shortstop. Pushing Lewis and Abro across the dish, Galbraith's two-out single knotted the score at 6-6. A walk by Mosher in his second at bat of the frame juiced the bags again for WMU but a strikeout ended any further offense.
Pitching the final three scoreless innings for Ball State, Kyle Heyne earned his eighth save of the season. Entering the game with two down in the fifth, Tom Mueller (3-0) was credited with the win.
Westdorp (3-4) took the loss for Western Michigan, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits, walking two and striking out two. Sheets gave up just one hit pitching the final three innings for WMU.
Western Michigan will take a break from conference action, heading to Ann Arbor on Tuesday to face No. 23 Michigan at 6:35 p.m. The Broncos are then back at Hyames Field over the weekend, hosting Toledo in a three-game MAC series, May 2-4.
