Kennesaw, Ga. – The Western Michigan baseball team brought the winning run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Kennesaw State held the Broncos off and came away with a 7-4 win Sunday afternoon at Stillwell Baseball Stadium.

WMU falls to 0-3 to open up the 2016 season while the Owls improve to 2-1 and have played all three games on their home field.

"I am disappointed we away from the weekend without a victory or two," Head coach Billy Gernon said. "We have a solid team and must continue to believe in the mission and strive to improve. I did see a lot of very pleasing things as well and I believe in our potential."

In the bottom of the ninth with the Broncos trailing 7-3, junior Alex Goodwin led off with a single to put the pressure on. After a fly out, junior Nick Vogelmeier hit a double down the right field line to put runners at second and third. Senior Drew Farmer drove in Goodwin win a single to center field to make it 7-4 Kennesaw State. After a pop out and a Grant Miller walk, the bases were loaded with two outs but the Owls were able to strand the tying run at first base.

The Owls offense got started early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. In the inning, the team hit for the cycle including a two-run home run by Brennan Morgan to make it 3-0 Owls.

The Broncos struck back in the top of the third with a pair of runs. Vogelmeier was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and was later driven in on a Miller single to left field to make it 3-1 KSU. Freshman Jesse Forestell drove in Connor Smith on an RBI single with two outs in the inning, the first RBI of his young career.

Kennesaw State scored three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 6-2 lead, but the Broncos hung around adding another run in the top of the sixth inning when Forestell ripped a home run to right center field, the first home run of his career and the first for the Broncos this season.

WMU finished with six total hits (6-for-35) in the game and went 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position and 3-for-9 in leadoff situations. With runners on third and less than two out, the Broncos were a perfect 2-for-2 and also went 9-for-16 in advancement opportunities.

Forestell finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run while Farmer, Miller, Goodwin and Vogelmeier each had a hit in the game. Miller and Goodwin each drew a walk as well.

Sophomore Tanner Allison suffered the loss going 4.0 innings allowing six runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out six. Freshman Jack Szott pitched 3.0 inning allowing one run and striking out three while sophomore Jacob Piechota pitched a scoreless eighth inning with one strikeout. Piechota also pitched a scoreless 1.2 innings in the opener.

The Broncos return to action next weekend at the Mule Mix Classic where they face Belmont, Middle Tennessee State and Lipscomb.