KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan led by a run entering the eighth inning, but had Michigan State slip past the Broncos Tuesday at Homer Stryker Field, 5-4.
Joel Fisher gave Michigan State a 1-0 lead in the second, hitting the first pitch he saw out over the fence in left center for his fifth home run of the season. The Spartans went up 2-0 in the top of the third, scoring a run with two outs.
Western Michigan responded with a run in the bottom of the third. Senior
Theo Piccirilli hit a leadoff single and scored on a single to right field by
Andrew Sohn. The Broncos had a chance to do more damage, but left the bases full in the inning.
Johnny Nate rapped a leadoff single for Michigan State in the sixth, moved to second on a sac bunt and scored on a two-out throwing error to extend the MSU lead to 3-1.
Western Michigan made use of shaky Spartan pitching in the bottom of the sixth to make up the difference and pull ahead, 4-3.
Brett Sunde and
Grant Miller hit back-to-back singles to start the Bronco at bat. Piccirilli drew a one-out walk to load the bases and
Dan Shutes lined an RBI single to center field on an 0-2 count. RHP John Buchalski was summoned from the Spartan bullpen and recorded a second out with a flyout. With bases still loaded, Buchalski hit the next two Bronco batters,
Kurt Hoekstra and Sohn, letting two runs across.
The Spartans tied the game in the eighth on a walk, a single and groundout, and scored again in the ninth to regain the lead. Jimmy Pickens singled to left, stole second and with two outs, Ryan Richardson smacked an RBI single down the left field line.
Sophomore RHP
Gabe Berman (1-3) took the loss, taking the mound with one away in the eighth.
Derek Schneider went two and two-thirds in the start, before being replaced by
David Brennan, who had the longest outing of the staff, going 3.1 innings.
Will Nimke also threw an inning and third of relief.
RHP (3-1) Jake Lowery replaced Buchalski for Michigan State in the sixth and earned the win, allowing one hit and striking out three over 2.2 innings. RHP Jeff Kinley recorded the final out for the save, his ninth of the season.
Western Michigan (19-25) had nine hits, while Michigan State (25-20) totaled 13. Piccirilli went 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Sohn was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
The Broncos return to Homer Stryker Field tomorrow for the final home game of the year, hosting Valparaiso at 3 p.m. Western Michigan concludes the regular season with Mid-American Conference road series at Toledo (May 9-11) and Central Michigan (May 15-17).
