KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan led 2-0 through six innings, but couldn't hold off Memphis in the final innings and the Bronco baseball team fell in its season-opener Friday. The Broncos will have another crack at the Tigers tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET and conclude the three-game series with a 1 p.m. matchup Sunday.

Western Michigan took a 1-0 lead in the second when senior left fielder Steve Buglione blasted a leadoff home run down the right line for his first career home run. Buglione also drove in WMU's second run, scoring Theo Piccirilli with a bases loaded fielder's choice in the fifth.

Senior left-handed pitcher Steve Laudicina was masterful in the start, going five strong innings before giving away to senior right-handed reliever David Brennan with no outs and runners on the corners in the sixth. Brennan allowed the runner from third to score on a fielder's choice but later ended the inning with a double play ball. The run, charged to Laudicina, would be unearned as the Broncos began the inning with a fielding error. Laudicina gave up just three hits and struck out four in his appearance.

Brennan was switched out for senior RHP Monty Porter after giving up a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh. A walk, a hit batsman, a wild pitch, and a sac fly by Memphis first baseman Tucker Tubbs tied the game at 2-2. Left-handed sophomore Derek Schneider was summoned from the WMU bullpen with one out and a runner on third, but couldn't keep the Tigers from scoring. Zach Willis drove an RBI single to center field and Ethan Gross crossed the plate for what would eventually be the game-winning run.

Sophomore RHP Pat Haynes and freshman left-hander Keegan Akin also saw late relief action on the mound for WMU. Porter (0-1) was charged with the loss.

A cold, rainy night in Memphis didn't bode well for a hitters' game but Western Michigan managed eight hits total and limited the Tigers to four. WMU left 12 runners on base, seven in scoring position, including what would have been a game-tying run in the ninth. Buglione (2-for-5) and sophomore catcher Brett Sunde (2-for-4) had two hits apiece. Andrew Sohn, Vinnie Booker and Caleb Caton each stole a base.

Memphis freshman RHP Nolan Blackwood and junior RHP Bryce Beeler allowed just four hits over the final 4.2 innings in the Tigers' comeback. Blackwood picked up the victory, going 3.2 innings and Beeler earned the save.