KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan baseball led early against Michigan, the No. 18 ranked team in the nation, but the Broncos eventually fell to the Wolverines 6-4 Wednesday night at Ray Fisher Stadium in the final nonconference game before Mid-American Conference (MAC) play begins.
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The Broncos had the Wolverines on the ropes early, as the team used a big three-run second inning that included four hits to take a 3-0 lead. Tanner Allison, who has been putting up some ridiculous numbers this season, opened the inning with his seventh double, this one to right center. Alex Goodwin moved him over to third on a single through the right side and Jesse Forestell delivered an RBI single to put WMU up 1-0. After a strikeout, Evan Nelson hit an RBI single to left center to drive in Goodwin and put runners on the corners. Michigan's Jayce Vancena forced Nelson into a run down between first and second, helping Forestell score after reading the play perfectly and sliding under the tag to make it 3-0 WMU.
Michigan came back to grab the lead in the bottom of the fourth with four runs on four hits and a walk, with the big one coming on a two-run double to left field by Harrison Wenson. Michigan also added a run in the bottom of the fifth after opening the inning with three straight singles.
WMU gave the Wolverines a big scare in the ninth, as Connor Smith and Grant Miller each had bunt singles to open, with both moving up on a throwing error in the infield. Allison, the nation's leader in RBI's per game, hit a sacrifice fly to left field to make it 6-4. Andrew Stone singled to put the go-ahead run at the plate, but Michigan was able to get out of the inning and end the game.
Sophomore Chris Modrzynski made the start for the Broncos, pitching 2.0 scoreless innings allowing just one hit with two strikeouts in his first appearance of the season. Allison came in to throw 2.0 scoreless innings with two strikeouts while Zach Mehelich threw a scoreless eighth inning. Brandon Petersen suffered the loss for WMU.
The Broncos finished with eight hits, all of which came from different players. Allison finished 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI while Nelson went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
The Broncos will head to Oxford, Ohio to battle Miami in the MAC opening series this weekend. Playing Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m., 4 p.m., and 1 p.m., respectively.
