ATLANTA – A pair of six-run innings hurt the Western Michigan baseball team on Friday as it lost, 16-4, in the opener of its three-game series at Georgia Tech.
 
FINAL SCORE: Georgia Tech 16, Western Michigan 4
LOCATION: Russ Chandler Stadium (Atlanta, Ga.)
RECORDS: Western Michigan (0-8) | Georgia Tech (8-2)
W: Tate McKee (2-0) | L: Ty McKinstry (0-3) | Save: Carson Ballard (1)
 
After the Broncos stranded a runner at third in the top of the first, Georgia Tech pushed across a pair in the home half to grab an early 2-0 edge.
 
Western Michigan threatened again in the second, putting a pair of runners in scoring position with two outs, but was once again turned away. The Yellow Jackets proceeded to plate six two-out runs in the home half to extend their advantage.
 
Joe Shapiro came out of the bullpen for WMU and got into a groove, retiring the first 10 batters he faced to keep the margin at eight.
 
Western Michigan cut the deficit in half with a four-run sixth. After a pair of singles started the inning, Dylan Nevar drove in the Brown and Gold's first run with a double. Avery Thielman and Chris Akers were then both hit by pitches with the bases loaded, and Marwynn Matthews Jr. plated a run with a sacrifice fly to trim the margin to 8-4.
 
Georgia Tech came right back in the home half, tallying six runs to put the contest out of reach.
 
The Broncos and Yellow Jackets continue their three-game weekend series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2 pm on ACCNX.