TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Western Michigan baseball team had another solid pitching performance, but ultimately fell to Florida A&M 2-1 at Moore-Kittles Field Friday afternoon.

"We had several balls that were hit really hard tonight that just didn't fall," Head coach Billy Gernon said. "Pitching and defense were good again tonight, we are very close to firing on all cylinders."

WMU falls to 0-7 after game one of the three-game series. It was the fourth loss this season the Broncos have suffered by only one run. The two will square off tomorrow and Sunday with game time scheduled for 1 p.m. each day. The Rattlers improved to 5-5 with the win.

For the third straight game, the Broncos had the tying run on base in the top of the ninth inning. Freshman Jesse Forestell ripped a liner to deep right field, just narrowly missing a game-tying home run. Alex Goodwin reached base on an error and ended up on third base with two outs, but a strikeout ended the game with the tying runner just 90 feet away. 

The Broncos had their leadoff runner on in each of the first three innings, but the Rattlers were able to strike first with a pair of runs in the second inning. Brian Davis hit a double to left center that plated Jacky Miles Jr., who walked to lead off the inning. After a sacrifice bunt, AJ Elkins hit a single down the left field line to score Miles and put the Rattlers up 2-0.

WMU didn't take long to respond, scoring one run in the top of the fourth inning. Freshman Conner Smith singled to leadoff the inning and stole second, the first of three stolen bases on the day for Smith. After Grant Miller advanced Smith to third, Nick Vogelmeier hit a liner that caromed off the pitcher to the shortstop, but Smith scored on the play to make it 2-1 FAMU.

The Brown & Gold loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning, where Goodwin led off with a walk and Smith reached a fielder choice. Smith stole second and Miller hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. Vogelmeier laid a perfect bunt down the third base line and reached to load the bases, but a groundout to first base ended the inning.

Junior Keegan Akin suffered the loss and moved to 0-2 this season. He pitched 5.0 innings allowing two runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts. Junior Kyle Mattwitz came in to pitch a scoreless 3.0 innings in relief allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out one batter.

The Broncos finished with four hits (4-for-31) while the Rattlers had six. Miller, Vogelmeier, Hunter Prince and Smith all finished with singles in the game. Miller and Evan Nelson were also hit by a pitch.

For the Rattler, four pitchers combined to allow four hits, two walks with five strikeouts. Six different players ended up with hits for FAMU.

Follow the Broncos on Twitter @WMUBaseball for all updates about the team!