BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- The Western Michigan baseball team extended its winning streak to four games with two wins over Bowling Green on the road Saturday afternoon behind a strong WMU pitching staff. First the Broncos took down the Falcons 3-2 in the first game and finished the sweep in game two with an 11-0 shutout win. The Broncos improved to 5-12 overall while the Falcons fell to 7-13 this season.

"It is hard to sweep anyone in baseball especially another MAC team," head coach Billy Gernon said. "We are a team that trusts and believes in one another. This weekend was just a continuation of the good baseball we have played bu ended up in the winning column. I am very proud of the team and especially our core leadership group for keeping our squad focused."

In the first game, the trio of Jake Bartels, Kyle Mallwitz and Jacob Piechota combined to throw to final 4.1 innings scoreless allowing just six hits and one walk. Bartels was credited with the win going 3.1 innings while earning his first win of the season.

Bowling Green jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning off just one hit. The Falcons plated their runs with the help of two walks and two wild pitches.

WMU cut into the lead with a run in the top of the fourth inning off a pair of hits by Steve Pastora and Alex Goodwin. Pastora led the inning off with a single and was driven in on Mitchell Ho's sacrifice fly to right field. The Broncos added on to the lead with another run in the top of the fifth to make it 2-2. Nick Vogelmeier drew a walk to lead things off and came around to score as Grant Miller hit an RBI single up the middle.

With the bases loaded in the top of the seventh inning, the Broncos were able to plate the go-ahead run. Miller hit into a fielder's choice and was able to score Connor Smith, who hit a one-out single to get things started for WMU.

Miller finished 1-for-3 with two RBI including the game-winner. Vogelmeier, Hunter Prince, Pastora, Goodwin and Smith all had a hit in the game.

In game two, senior Pat Haynes started the game pitching the first 4.0 innings scoreless allowing just three hits. Sophomore Jacob Piechota pitched a scoreless 4.0 innings in relief allowing three hits and two walks. Freshman Matt McConnell entered to pitch the scoreless ninth inning.

The Broncos broke through with a huge top of the fifth inning where they scored four runs on four hits and were helped by one Falcon error. Jesse Forestell led the inning off with a single through the right side and Goodwin was hit by the next pitch. Vogelmeier hit a single through the right side to load the bases with no outs. Drew Farmer singled through the right side to score a run and Miller hit a ball to the second baseman that was ruled an error but scored two runs. After Evan Nelson was intentionally walked, Prince hit a sacrifice fly to left field to give the Broncos a 4-0 lead.

WMU's offense stayed hot in the top of the seventh inning scoring three more runs on three hits and another Falcon error. Vogelmeier led the inning off with a single and Farmer followed it with another single to right field. Miller drew a walk to load the bases with no outs for the second straight inning. The Falcons were able to retire the next two batters, but Pastora drew a walk with the bases loaded to make it 5-0 WMU. Forestell came through with a big two-run double to left field to score Prince and Farmer and put the Broncos up 7-0.

WMU extended the lead to 11-0 in the top of the ninth inning with four more runs. Forestell drove in his third run of the game on an RBI single, Pastora came around to score on a wild pitch, Vogelmeier drew a bases loaded walk and Farmer drove in the final run of the inning on a single to left field.

Farmer had a huge game, finishing 5-for-6 with two RBI while Forestell went 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI. Vogelmeier, who leads the team in walks this season, drew two walks and finished 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

WMU returns to action next weekend with games against Butler on Friday, March 25 and Sunday, March 27 in the middle of two games against Bradley on Friday and Saturday. Follow the Broncos on Twitter @WMUBaseball for all updates about the team!