KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Sophomore LHP Keegan Akin threw his second career complete game shutout as the Western Michigan baseball team defeated Buffalo 8-0 on Sunday. It is the first home series sweep for WMU since 2012.
Akin was magnificent on the mound allowing just six hits, giving up one walk and striking out eight to earn his third victory of the season. It was the second time Akin threw a complete game shutout as last year he struck out 12 batters in a victory over Ohio on March 30.
It was a pitcher's duel until the bottom of the fourth when the Broncos got on the board. To lead off the inning, junior Kurt Hoekstra blasted his second triple of the series to get into scoring position. The next at-bat saw Hoekstra cross home plate with sophomore Grant Miller hitting a sacrifice fly to right field to give WMU a 1-0 lead.
Clinging to a one run lead heading into the bottom of the eighth, the Broncos exploded for seven runs all coming with two outs. After a lead-off single by Miller, a sacrifice bunt and a groundout moved Miller to third. Sophomore Nick Vogelmeier issued the walk to put runners on the corners for junior Mitchell Ho. Ho then proceeded to blast a two RBI double to left field, scoring Miller and Vogelmeier to extend the lead. Freshman Tanner Allison brought around Ho the next at-bat on an RBI single giving WMU a 4-0 edge.
Still in the bottom of the eighth, the Broncos loaded the bases after both junior Hunter Prince and sophomore Beau Filkins were hit by a pitch. Hoekstra also was hit by a pitch that brought around Allison to score and widen the lead. WMU scored two more runs in the inning en route to an 8-0 lead after an error by the Buffalo first basemen and back-to-back hit by pitches. The Broncos saw 11 batters step to the plate in the inning.
It was a hitting clinic for WMU who registered nine hits on the day. Miller provided spark at the top of the lineup going 2-for-4 with two RBI's and one run scored. Ho kept up his hot bat going 1-for-3 on the afternoon with two RBI's and one run scored.
The Broncos will take a small break from midweek action as they get set to host the Ball State Cardinals next weekend, May 1-3 at Robert J. Bobb Stadium. First pitch for game one is schedule for 3 p.m.
