OXFORD, Ohio- Junior RHP Chad Mayle struck out seven over 7.2 innings and sophomore closer Gabe Berman fanned two as Western Michigan defeated Miami, 2-1, to earn its first Mid-American Conference victory of the season.

Junior right fielder Jared Kujawa had the game-winning hit in the third, breaking a 1-1 tie with a two-out RBI triple to right field. It was his fifth triple of the season and 11th of his career.

Both Western Michigan and Miami scored an unearned run in the second inning. The Broncos' Caleb Caton struck out swinging in the leadoff at bat of the second, but reached first base safely as the ball skipped by the RedHawk catcher. Caton moved to third following a sac bunt and a base hit and scored on a groundout by Steve Buglione.

“Chad Mayle was outstanding today and Gabe Berman was electric out of the pen for us,” said WMU head coach Billy Gernon. “Kujawa had a clutch two-out triple that scored the eventual game winner.”

Mayle's 7.2 innings pitched was his longest outing in six starts this season. It was also his second start without giving up an earned run, and he evened his record to 2-2 on the season. Berman picked up his third save of the season, and eighth of his career. The hard-throwing right-handed closer has a 1.84 ERA over 14.2 innings this year.

Sophomore second baseman Kurt Hoekstra collected two of the Broncos' five hits, going 2-for-4, and extended his current hitting streak to 15 games.

Miami RHP Nathan Williams (1-3) gave a complete-game effort for the RedHawks and took the loss.

The win improved Western Michigan to 10-9 on the season and 1-1 in conference play. WMU looks for a series win tomorrow in decisive game three at 1 p.m. Bronco freshman southpaw Keegan Akin (2-0, 2.84 ERA) is slated to take the mound against Miami RHP Ryan Powers (1-2, 7.66 ERA).