DeKALB, Ill. – The Western Michigan baseball team fell, 4-2, in the finale of its three-game series at Northern Illinois on Sunday.  
 
FINAL SCORE: NIU 4, Western Michigan 2
LOCATION: Ralph McKinzie Field (DeKalb, Ill.)
RECORDS: Western Michigan (12-27, 8-13 MAC) | NIU (16-27, 5-16)
W: Carter Cox (1-0) | L: Zach Vriesenga (0-4) | Save: Danny Cihocki (4)
 
Northern Illinois got the scoring started, plating a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the first.
 
Western Michigan came right back in the second, as Chris Akers notched an RBI single the other way to get the visitors on the board.
 
The Broncos then loaded the bases with two outs in the third, but could not score.
 
NIU tacked on a pair of runs in the home half of the third, extending its cushion to 4-1.
 
Western Michigan had an opportunity to answer in the next half inning, but once again left a pair of runners in scoring position.
 
The bullpen trio of Aiden Hinds (1.0 IP), Matt Hoover (2.0 IP), and DJ Thompson (2.0 IP), kept Northern Illinois scoreless over its five innings offensively, keeping the Broncos within striking distance.  
 
NIU maintained its three-run cushion until the ninth. Tanner Mally started things off by ripping a double down the right field line. Michael Maloney followed with an infield single, and a throwing error on the play allowed Mally to score and Maloney to move into scoring position. A deep fly ball advanced Maloney to third, but WMU's comeback efforts came to an end there.
 
Western Michigan returns to Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field on Tuesday afternoon to face Valparaiso. First pitch is slated for 3:05 pm. For tickets to any WMU home game, visit wmubroncos.com/tickets.