EMERSON, Ga.- Western Michigan scored four runs in the eighth and one in the ninth to claw its way back from a 4-1 deficit and post a 6-4 victory over UT-Martin Friday. It was the first win of the season for the Broncos, who improved their record to 1-3.
Sophomore LHP Keegan Akin was phenomenal for the second straight start. After striking out nine batters over six innings last weekend at UAB, Akin stepped up to fan 10 over six innings against UT-Martin. It was the second time in his career he has recorded strikeouts in the double digits.
Akin scattered five hits and walked only two. He gave up two runs, only one of which was earned.
With the offense not coming alive until late, junior right-handed reliever Pat Haynes would go down as the pitcher of record, picking up the win in 1.2 innings of relief.
Junior RHP Gabe Berman shut out the Skyhawks over the final 1.1 innings to earn his 15th career save, one shy of the school record of 16. Berman stranded a runner in the eighth, as well as in the ninth.
Sophomore second baseman Nick Vogelmeier and junior shortstop Kurt Hoekstra led WMU with three hits each. The Broncos recorded 10 hits as a team. Senior right fielder Jared Kujawa had a hit and three RBIs, while freshman center fielder Tanner Allison drove in two runs.
Vogelmeier and Hoekstra started the rally in the eighth with back-to-back singles. Kujawa drove in the first run with a bases loaded fielder's choice and Hunter Prince ripped a one-out RBI single up the middle. Allison drove in the final two runs with two outs, to give WMU a 5-4 lead.
Vogelmeier and Hoekstra again led off the ninth with back-to-back singles, Vogelmeier laying down a bunt. Kujawa drove in his third RBI of the day for the insurance run.
UTM reliever Patrick Bernard took the loss, taking the mound with two away in the sixth. He allowed four runs (two earned) and three hits over 1.2 innings.
The Broncos and Skyhawks conclude the three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at noon ET. RHP Chad Mayle is scheduled to take the mound for WMU in game one, followed by Allison, in what would be his first career start on the mound in game two, game three of the series.
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