KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan sophomore first baseman Cade Sullivan blasted his 10th home run of the season, but the Broncos fell, 3-1, to Michigan State on Wednesday. Wednesday's game was a part of WMU's Day of Miracles, benefitting the Southwest Michigan Miracle League.
 
FINAL SCORE: Michigan State 3, Western Michigan 1
LOCATION: Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
RECORDS: Western Michigan (16-30) | Michigan State (22-25)
W: Dominic Pianto (1-0) | L: Ethan Houghtaling (1-2) | Save: Andrew Carson (2)
 
Sullivan's blast was his team-leading 10th of the season. The Aurora, Ill., native is the first Bronco to tally double-digit home runs in a season since Nate Grys hit 10 in 2018.
 
The sophomore was one of four WMU batters to reach twice in the contest, as Justin McIntyre had a pair of knocks for his third straight multi-hit game. Jimmy Allen roped a double and walked to extend his on-base streak to 19, the longest by a Bronco this season. Gavin Doyle drew a pair of walks to push his on-base streak to 16 straight games.
 
Ethan Houghtaling started the contest off by retiring the first six Spartans he faced. Western Michigan's offense had opportunities to give the freshman the lead in the early going, putting two runners on in the first and loading the bases in the second, but were turned away both times.
 
Michigan State opened the scoring with a pair in the top of the third. WMU drew a pair of walks in the home half, but were unable to dent the scoreboard.
 
The Spartans maintained their 2-0 edge until the fifth, when Sullivan slammed a solo homer off of the batter's eye in straightaway center field to bring Western Michigan within one.
 
Joe Shapiro came on in the middle innings for the Broncos and set down seven in a row at one point to keep WMU's deficit at 2-1.
 
MSU pushed across an insurance tally in the seventh inning to up the advantage to 3-1. Western Michigan put two runners on in the home half, but a double play quashed the threat, and the Michigan State bullpen kept the Broncos at bay for the final two frames to pick up the victory.
 
Western Michigan continues its homestand on Friday as it welcomes in Kent State to begin a four-game Mid-American Conference series. First pitch for Friday's series opener is set for 2:05 pm at Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field. The game will also be available on Bronco All-Access and the Bronco Media Network.