OXFORD, Ohio – The Western Michigan baseball team won its third consecutive Mid-American Conference (MAC) series with a 4-2 win over Miami in the rubber match Sunday afternoon at Hayden Park.

WMU improved to 15-27 overall and 8-10 in the MAC while the RedHawks fall to 22-24 overall and 11-7 in the MAC.

The Broncos offense wasted no time getting ahead early, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning off three hits, a walk and a RedHawk error. Freshman Connor Smith, who has been on fire lately, hit a one-out single up the middle to get things started. Junior Grant Miller then hit a single to shortstop, who made a throwing error that allowed both runners to move up. Hunter Prince hit a sacrifice fly to the second baseman that allowed Smith to score and freshman Jesse Forestell came up with a big two-out single up the middle to score Miller and make it 2-0 WMU.

Miami threatened in the bottom of the first inning, loading the bases with two outs but senior Derek Schneider got a big strikeout to shut down the RedHawks early.

Zach Spears, freshman pitcher for Miami, got a little wild in the top of the fourth inning allowing the Broncos to score a run and go up 3-0. In the inning, both Prince and freshman Nate Grys were hit by pitches and Forestell drew a walk to load the bases. Senior Mitchell Ho drew a bases loaded walk to earn an easy RBI.

After the RedHawks got a run back in the bottom of the third, the Broncos went up 4-1 with a run in the top of the fourth inning. Junior Nick Vogelmeier led off with a single to the shortstop and Miller ripped a double to center field with one down to put runners on second and third. Prince came up clutch again with a single to center field to plate Vogelmeier and put WMU up by three runs.

Miami added another run in the bottom of the sixth, but sophomore Jacob Piechota and the Bronco pitching staff proved to be too tough on Sunday.

Piechota earned his second save of the season, pitching 4.0 innings to end the game allowing two hits and one earned run with five strikeouts. Sophomore Jake Bartels pitched a scoreless 1.1 innings in relief of Schneider to earn the win. Schneider went 3.2 innings allowing one run with four strikeouts.

Smith went 3-for-5 with a run, making it his eighth game in the last 11 where he has had multiple base hits. Prince finished 1-for-2 with a run and two RBI while Miller went 2-for-3 with a run and Forestell went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Ho and Vogelmeier each had a hit as well.

The Broncos have a busy week, first hosting nationally-ranked Michigan State on Tuesday, May 10 at 3 p.m. and then traveling to face Oakland on Wednesday, May 11 at 3 p.m. WMU's hosts Ohio in the last home MAC series this coming weekend. Follow the Broncos on Twitter @WMUBaseball for all updates about the team!