AVON, Ohio- Akron got the best of Western Michigan in Wednesday's midweek baseball matchup, 8-2. The outcome of the contest does not effect the Mid-American Conference standings, rather only overall records, as it was considered a non-league meeting.
The game was held in Avon, Ohio, at All Pro Freight Stadium, which also hosts the yearly MAC baseball tournament, as each side got experience playing on the field's artificial surface.
Western Michigan's offense didn't get started until late and the Zips plated a run in the second on an RBI double and two more in the third on just one hit. Akron loaded the bases with one out in the sixth and went on to score five runs, taking an 8-0 lead.
The Broncos got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh when junior
Jared Kujawa reached on an error by the shortstop and then scored from first on a two-out double over the left fielder's head by senior
Theo Piccirilli.
WMU scored again in the eighth. Senior
Vinnie Booker put down a well-placed bunt for a base hit and crossed the dish following a wild pitch and a pair of groundouts.
Kurt Hoekstra recorded an RBI.
Starting sophomore left-handed pitcher
Pat Haynes (1-2) took the loss, giving up four hits, two walks and three runs (one earned) over 2.2 innings. He struck out one.
Derek Schneider was the first out of the Bronco bullpen and also gave up three runs over 2.2 innings.
In total, five different pitchers saw action for Western Michigan. Senior RHP
Monty Porter had the most success, holding the Zips without a run and to just two hits over two innings.
Nick Bradley kept Akron silent in the ninth.
Starting LHP Pat Dyer (3-2) got the win for Akron, striking out four and tossing six scoreless innings. Akron (20-14) totaled 13 hits in the game to Western Michigan's seven.
Piccirilli and
Brett Sunde each went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Broncos. Freshman
Grant Miller doubled.
Western Michigan (13-19, 4-8 MAC) travels to Ball State this weekend for a three-game series, April 18-20. WMU is then scheduled to host Northern Illinois, April 25-27, in what would be the Broncos' first games of the season in Kalamazoo.
