MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Western Michigan baseball team had the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, but Middle Tennessee State forced a flyout to end the game and earn a tight 3-2 win over the Broncos on day two of the 2016 Mule Mix Classic.

The Broncos' record drops to 0-5 this season while the Blue Raiders improve to 4-2.

"Today was a really disappointing loss," head coach Billy Gernon said. "Our seniors and other leaders have to figure out a way to drag us into the win column. Offensive production was much better but not good enough when it mattered most. Pat Haynes and Jake Bartels were outstanding out of the pen."

In the top of the ninth, pinch hitter Evan Nelson led off with a single to right field and advanced to third on an error. After a strikeout and a groundout to third, Grant Miller singled through the left side to score Nelson and make it 3-2 with MTSU still up. Nick Vogelmeier and Steve Pastora drew back-to-back walks to load the bases and put the tying run just 90 feet away, but a flyout to deep right field ended the rally.

The Broncos out-hit the Blue Raiders 10-6 and also committed no errors while MTSU was charged with one. WMU had its chances, leaving 11 runners on base including the bases loaded in the fourth and ninth innings. Pastora finished 3-for-4 with a walk and an RBI while senior Mitchell Ho went 2-for-4.

The Brown & Gold notched its first run in the top of the seventh after Drew Farmer led off the inning with a single and was driven in by Pastora. Vogelmeier was thrown out trying to score at home on the play.

MTSU scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second off a Riley Delgado RBI single up the middle to score Drew Huff. The Blue Raiders scored their next two runs in the bottom of the fourth off back-to-back bases loaded walks.

Senior Pat Haynes pitched a scoreless 3.1 innings in relief allowing just one hit while sophomore Jake Bartels pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Sophomore left-hander Tanner Allison suffered the loss, pitching 3.2 innings allowing three runs on five hits and five hits while striking out five batters.

The Broncos return to action on Sunday, Feb. 28 as they stay in Tennessee to face 2015 NCAA Tournament qualifier Lipscomb. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. with left-handed senior Derek Schneider scheduled to take the mound for the Broncos.