KALAMAZOO, Mich. –  On Tuesday afternoon, Western Michigan baseball and Valparaiso combined for 31 runs and 35 hits as the Broncos fell to the Crusaders, 18-13 in the final home game of the season at Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field.

It's the 15^th time this season WMU has collected double digit hits and the fifth time the Brown & Gold have produced double digit runs. Offensively, 13 different Broncos registered a hit on Tuesday with juniors Jesse Forestell, Nate Grys and Conner Henderson along with freshman Blake Dunn recording multi-hit games.

Grys hit his team-leading ninth home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth inning to highlight a 1-for-5 day at the plate with two runs scored and three RBIs. Grys ranks fourth in the Mid-American Conference in home runs.

Henderson also collected three RBIs on the day after going 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored. It was Henderson's sixth double of the season. Sophomore Drew Devine is now tied for the team lead in triples after going 1-for-4 with a run scored. Devine registered his second triple of the year in the bottom of the fifth.

Overall WMU had six extra-base hits with four doubles, one triple and a home run. For the fifth time this season the Broncos produced double digit runs, scoring a run in the final six innings of play. On the mound the Brown & Gold used eight different pitchers, accumulating nine strikeouts.

Valparaiso scored in six of the nine innings and got a strong performance from left fielder Blake Billinger who went 3-for-5 with three home runs and five RBIs.

Tuesday's contest marked the final home game of the season inside Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field. The Broncos compiled a 7-12 record at home and now have an overall record of 20-22. It's a quick turnaround as the Broncos head to Valparaiso, Ind. for a match-up with the Crusaders on Wednesday, May 9 at 2:00 p.m.

The Crusaders jumped out to a 7-0 lead after four innings of play, scoring two runs in the second, one in the third and four in the top of the fourth.

WMU was held hitless until the bottom of the fourth inning before scoring six runs on six hits. After an error by the Valpo shortstop and a single by Forestell, the Broncos quickly had runners on first and second with no outs. Two pitches later, Nate Grys crushed a three-run home run over the left field wall to cut into the Valpo lead.

After a fly out, freshman Sean O'Keefe compiled his 15th hit of the season to give WMU a runner on first with one out. Stepping to the plate was Henderson who connected on his first career home run to left field to cut the Valpo lead to 7-5.

Junior Connor Smith singled to left field on a 2-0 count with two outs before advancing to second on a wild pitch. With two outs, Blake Dunn delivered a single over the Valpo third baseman's glove that scored Smith from third.

WMU and Valparaiso continued to battle as each team scored in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Heading into the bottom of the seventh, Valparaiso held a 13-8 advantage.

The Brown & Gold scored one run on no hits in the bottom of the seventh to cut into the Crusader lead. With the bases loaded and one out, Henderson delivered with an RBI fielder's choice, scoring Grys from third to give WMU it's ninth run of the ballgame.

Valparaiso scored five runs in the top of the eighth to take an 18-10 lead into the bottom of the ninth.  The Broncos comeback attempt was in full swing in the bottom of the ninth, scoring three runs on five hits including four straight to begin the inning.

Freshman Connor Charping led off the bottom of the ninth with a double to right field before Henderson laced a double to left field, scoring Charping. Two pitches later, fellow freshman Justin McIntyre rocketed a single through the left side that scored Henderson and cut the Valpo lead to 18-12.

With no outs, junior Jimmy Roche grounded into a double play but scored pinch-hitter Beau Filkins from third to secure WMU's 13th run of the game. Forestell walked to give WMU runners on the corners with two outs before a fly out ended the game and the comeback attempt.