KENT, Ohio – Behind senior Hunter Prince's two-run home run, the Western Michigan baseball team was able to take down Kent State 5-4 Friday afternoon in its Mid-American Conference (MAC) opener at Schoonover Field.

The Broncos improved to 8-15 this season and 1-0 in the MAC while KSU, who came into the weekend as the only team in the league with a winning record, falls to 17-8 overall and 2-2 in the MAC.

KSU scored an early run in the bottom of the first inning, ending junior Keegan Akin's amazing 22.2 scoreless inning streak dating back to March 4 at Florida A&M. The Broncos stormed back and took their first lead of the game with a big third inning that included the Prince two-run home run. Freshman Connor Smith, who had a big day, led the inning off with a double and junior Nick Vogelmeier moved him up to second with a sac bunt. After the Golden Flashes got another out, Grant Miller singled to shortstop and scored Smith to tied it at 1-1. Prince, the next batter, came up to the plate and launched a home run that scored two and gave WMU a 3-1 lead.

WMU added on to the lead with another run in the top of the fourth inning that featured two hits. Senior Mitchell Ho, a 2015 Second Team All-MAC selection, singled through the right side with two outs and moved up to second on a passed ball. Smith then drilled his second double of the game to center field to score Ho and put WMU up 4-1.

The Golden Flashes scored on in the bottom of the fifth inning, but the Broncos were able to get that run back in the top of the seventh where Vogelmeier scored Ho on an RBI single to make it 5-2. KSU added two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to put the pressure on, but the Broncos pitching staff stayed tough and held the Golden Flashes scoreless in the final two frames. KSU put the tying run at second base with two down in the bottom of the ninth, but junior Kyle Mallwitz struck out the final batter of the game to end it.

Akin (3-2) was credited with the win pitching 6.1 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and striking out 11 batters. Akin, who entered this game as the MAC leader in strikeouts, has now won his last three decisions. Sophomore Jacob Piechota entered to throw 0.2 scoreless innings and Mallwitz pitched the final 2.0 innings scoreless, earning his first save of the season.

Prince finished 1-for-4 with the home run and two RBI while Smith went 3-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and a run. Miller, Vogelmeier, Ho and Jesse Forestell all had a single in the game as well.

The Broncos are scheduled to battle the Golden Flashes on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, with both times scheduled for 1 p.m. Follow the Broncos on Twitter @WMUBaseball for updates about time changes!