NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Western Michigan baseball team dropped a 1-0 pitchers' duel Sunday afternoon against Lipscomb, the 2015 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament champions, on the final day of the 2016 Mule Mix Classic. The Broncos fall to 0-6 this season while the Bison improve to 5-2.

"We have lost five games now by a total of eight runs, including three one-run games," Head coach Billy Gernon said. "We are so close and we will not quit. Defense and pitching are ahead of where we hoped and the offense will soon be as well. Derek Schneider gave us a quality start and was able to side-step a few walks. Jack Szott was outstanding out of the pen as well."

For the second straight game, the Broncos brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the top of the ninth inning as sophomore Tanner Allison hit a one-out double to left field.

The duo of senior Derek Schneider and freshman Jack Szott held the Bison to just one run on seven hits. Schneider suffered the loss, going 6.0 innings allowing one run on six hits and five walks with four strikeouts. Szott finished out the game pitching 2.0 scoreless innings allowing just one hit and one walk.

Lipscomb, who started the first, second and third inning each with a leadoff double, was shutout by Schneider until the sixth inning where they broke through with the only run of the game. Lee Solomon drew a leadoff walk and was later driven in on an RBI single to second base by Allan Hooker.

The hits finished even at seven a piece. WMU had good opportunities to score with runners in scoring position in the first, fifth, sixth and ninth innings. In the first, Evan Nelson singled to right field with one out and Allison advanced him to second on a single, but a strikeout ended the inning. In the fifth, Nick Vogelmeier hit a one-out single up the middle, stole second and advanced to third on a Drew Farmer single down the third base line. In the sixth, Nelson hit a double down the left field line to leadoff and Steve Pastora drew a walk, but a fielder's choice and a couple of outs ended the inning.

Nelson finished 2-for-4 with a double to bring his average to .500 this season. Allison also went 2-for-4 with a double while Grant Miller, Vogelmeier and Farmer all had a hit.

WMU returns to action next weekend as they had down to Florida for eight games in nine days.