Box Score
OXFORD, Ohio- A two-out bases loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth broke a 4-4 tie as Miami baseball slipped by Western Michigan, 5-4, Saturday night. Matthew Abro led the Bronco offense going 4-for-4 at the plate and hitting his second home run of the season.
The Broncos (14-8-1, 1-4 MAC) led the game through the opening four frames, scoring a run in the first inning and two in the third.
WMU ripped off three singles with two outs in the first, Max Kelmigian picked up the RBI. Abro's two-run long ball in the third pushed the lead to 3-0.
Miami (7-19, 2-6 MAC) tied things up with three runs in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three runs on two hits and an error.
Western Michigan briefly regained the lead with a run in the top of the sixth, as Kyle Gendron drew a bases loaded walk.
The RedHawks however came up with a run in the bottom half of the inning, again knotting the score.
Neither team scored over the next two innings, and the Brown & Gold didn't have any luck at the plate or on the mound in the ninth.
With the score tied 4-4, WMU pitcher Ross Westdorp issued a leadoff walk then hit a batter before being replaced by Joe Sheets. Sheets recorded a popout against his first batter, but Miami pulled off a double steal to put runners at second and third. The Broncos decided to intentionally walk the next batter and Sheets again got a popout, putting WMU an out away from escaping the inning. A walk with the bases loaded led to the Broncos' downfall and a 5-4 final.
Western Michigan had nine hits on the day, Abro accounting for four of those. Chris Lewis had two hits and a pair of runs. Miami rattled off seven hits.
Bronco starter Billy Morrison went 6.0 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits, before giving way to Westdorp. Westdorp (2-2) took the loss.
WMU and Miami will complete the three-game weekend series at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 6.
