NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – Western Michigan shortstop Michael Maloney launched a grand slam in the fifth inning of an 11-4 loss at CSUN on Saturday.   
 
FINAL SCORE: CSUN 11, Western Michigan 4
LOCATION: Robert J. Hiegert Field (Northridge, Calif.)
RECORDS: Western Michigan (3-7) | CSUN (6-4)
W: Traig Oughton (2-0) | L: Joey Wizceb (0-2)
 
CSUN tallied single runs in each of the first two frames, and then posted six in the third to open up an 8-0 advantage.
 
With the margin at 11-0 in the fifth, an error and hit batter helped the Broncos get the first two on base. Drew Howard then coaxed a two-out walk to extend the inning for Maloney, who blasted one to left field for WMU's first grand slam of the season. It was Maloney's team-leading third homer of the young campaign.
 
Zach Vriesenga came in out of the bullpen in the bottom of the fifth and settled things down for the Brown and Gold, blanking the Matadors over the next three innings and striking out four.
 
Western Michigan loaded the bases again in the eighth, but this time was turned away.
 
The Broncos and Matadors wrap up their three-game weekend series with a rubber match on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 4 pm on ESPN+.