BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - On Saturday the Western Michigan baseball team split an exciting doubleheader at Bowling Green as they defeated the Falcons in game one 8-6 in 10 innings after scoring seven unanswered runs. In the nightcap, a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth gave BGSU the 1-0 victory.
Game One
In game one of Saturday's doubleheader the Broncos overcame a five run deficit as they rallied to score seven unanswered runs to defeat Bowling Green, 8-6 in 10 innings. WMU collected 14 hits on the day with senior Jared Kujawa going 2-for-5 with a three-run home run.
The Broncos jumped on the Falcons in the top of the second after junior Hunter Prince reached base on a fielder's choice with two outs. The next at-bat, sophomore Nick Vogelmeier laid down a bunt that went right back to the BGSU pitcher, but a throwing error helped Prince score from first and gave WMU the early 1-0 lead.
It didn't take long for the Falcons to strike back as they scored four runs on just two hits along with two costly errors by the Broncos in the bottom of the second. BGSU scored runs in both the fourth and fifth innings extending their lead.
Trailing 6-1 heading into the top of the eighth, the Brown and Gold erupted for three runs on two hits. After back-to-back outs to start the inning the Broncos gained momentum after junior Kurt Hoekstra single to right center field. Junior Brett Sunde reached first on a throwing error by the BGSU third baseman giving Kujawa runners on first and second with two outs. Kujawa proceeded to blast a three-run home run over the right field wall, his sixth home run of the season and trim the Falcon lead to 6-4.
In the top of the ninth back to back singles by Vogelmeier and freshman Tanner Allison had the Broncos in position to score. A perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by sophomore Beau Filkins moved both runners into scoring position. With one out sophomore Grant Miller knocked an RBI single scoring Vogelmeier from third and cutting the BGSU lead down to one. Junior Mitchell Ho brought home Allison from third on a fielder's choice to tie the game at 6-6.
WMU kept their momentum going in top of the 10th as they registered five consecutive singles, scoring two runs completing the comeback and defeating the Falcons, 8-6. BGSU grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game. Sophomore RHP Gabe Berman earned his third victory of the season going two innings allowing no runs on one hit while striking out two.
It was a wonderful day at the plate for the Broncos who saw eight different batters register a hit and six batters have multi-hit games. Kujawa kept up his hot bat going 2-for-5 with three RBI's and one run scored. As the designated hitter, Ho went 1-for-5 with two RBI's. Senior RHP Chad Mayle started the game going five innings, allowing six runs on six hits and striking out three.
Game Two
In a pitcher's duel, the Broncos fell just short as the Falcons scored in the bottom of the ninth to earn the 1-0 victory and split Saturday's doubleheader. Sophomore LHP Keegan Akin was dominant on the mound going 8.1 innings allowing just one run on seven hits and striking out four.
With the game scoreless heading into the bottom of the ninth, BGSU centerfielder Kory Howard led off the inning with a walk and then got into scoring position quickly after a balk was called on Akin. A sacrifice bunt moved Howard to third and after an intentional walk, the Falcons had runners on the corners with one out. The very next at-bat proved to be the last as Bowling Green third basemen Nick Glanzman came through with an RBI single, scoring the game-winning run from third and securing the Falcon victory.
The best opportunity for WMU to score came in the top of the eighth with the bases loaded and two outs and the Mid-American Conference leader in batting average junior Kurt Hoekstra stepping up to the plate. The chance to score was quickly diminished as Hoekstra grounded into the fielder's choice to end the threat.
On the afternoon the Broncos scattered around five hits while leaving six runners on base. As the designated hitter Ho went 1-for-3 and overall on the day went 2-for-8 with two RBI's. BGSU starting pitcher Zac Carey earned the victory throwing a complete game shutout and allowing just five hits.
Western Michigan now has an overall record of 14-21 and 6-9 in conference play.
Once again, the Broncos have two mid-week games as they take on Akron Tuesday in a non-conference match-up at All Pro Freight Stadium in Avon, Ohio, home of the MAC Tournament. WMU for the second time this season will square off against in-state rival Michigan State on Wednesday at Robert J. Bobb Stadium with first pitch set for 3 p.m. Earlier this season, the Broncos fell to the Spartans 5-4 in East Lansing, Mich.
