Saturday's MAC Baseball Results

The Rockets also received a quality relief effort from classmate Cody Umbright to not allow the Braves to mount a comeback. Umbright came on in the eighth frame with runners on first and second base with no outs, but was able to record a punchout and a double play to stall the potentially big inning. He then closed out the ninth to preserve the neutral site triumph.

Offensively for the Midnight Blue & Gold, senior Aaron Dudley led the way with a perfect 4-for-4 effort with three runs scored and three RBI. Other Rockets tallying double-digit hits included senior Tim Krofcheck (2-for-5, 2 runs scored, 3 RBI), junior Chris Dudics (2-for-5, 2 runs scored, RBI) and sophomore Joe Corfman (2-for-5, 2 runs scored, RBI).

UT started quickly for the second-consecutive game and plated six runs in its opening at-bat. Dudics had two hits in the frame and junior Jared Hoying was credited with a two-run triple. Dudley and Corfman also tallied RBIs in their initial plate appearance.

After Bradley plated single runs in the bottom of the first and third, UT countered with single tallies in the fourth and sixth frames to make the score 8-2. Junior Dan Sherwood drove in the run in the fourth with a two-out single and Dudley was collected a sacrifice fly to help build a comfortable cushion.

The Rockets then blew the game open on the strength of a three-run home run off the bat of Krofcheck in the seventh and a solo round tripper by Dudley in the eight. Bradley did not quit, though, and scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh and one more in the eighth to make the final score 13-6.

UT closes out the opening weekend tomorrow with a game vs. Big East member Pittsburgh at 11:00 a.m.



New Mexico State 8-10, Akron 3-5
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Two-out rallies and home runs from the opposition proved too much for the UA baseball team this evening as the Zips dropped both games of the doubleheader against New Mexico State at Presley Askew Field.

The Zips fell to 2-4 overall with the losses while the Aggies improved to 3-4 on the young season.

Andrew Brown (1-1) suffered the loss for Akron in game one as Akron lost 8-3. Brown lasted just five and two third innings, allowing seven runs (just four earned) on 10 hits with a pair of strikeouts. Thomas Brendel (1-0) earned the win for New Mexico State and kept UA batters off balance, surrendering three earned runs on six hits while striking out five.

New Mexico held a 3-0 lead heading into the fourth before the Zips managed a run courtesy of a Brian Kordal RBI-double to left center which scored Kyle Hallett from first, cutting the deficit to two. The Aggies would respond with a run in the bottom stanza on a RBI-single to right, pushing the game to 4-1 in the home team's favor.

The Zips added a pair of runs on a two-run Hallett homer atop the sixth to draw within one (4-3) but once again, NMSU would rally in the home half of the frame with three more runs-two of which came with two outs, to extend the lead to 7-3. New Mexico added the final run of the game in the bottom of the seventh on a sac-fly RBI, accounting for the game one final, 8-3.

Zach Yike and Danny Fawcett each took the mound in game one. Yike went 1.1 innings and surrendered a run and a hit, striking out one.

Offensively, Hallett led the Zips with a 1-for-3 performance, driving in two RBI's on his first home run of the season and Turocy finished with a pair of hits, including a double. Kordal notched a RBI-double and freshman Samuel Trecaso recorded his first career hit in game one of today's doubleheader.

Game two appeared to start out favorably for the Zips but would also end on a sour note. Despite outhitting New Mexico State 12-10 the Aggies won the battle of the long ball, pounding three home runs in comparison to just one from Akron.

The Zips jumped out to a short-lived 2-0 lead in the first. Kevin Haas led off with a single up the middle and Drew Turocy followed with a double to put runners at the corners. Jake Plata's groundout scored Haas from third and Hallett drove Turocy in on a single to left but a pair of groundouts would close out the frame.

New Mexico State responded in the second inning when UA starter Scott Foster (0-1) worked himself into trouble. With two outs and bases loaded, Foster walked in a run before the Aggies cleared the bases on a two-RBI single and RBI-double, taking the 4-2 lead.

Turocy registered his second double on the day to start the third and was driven in on a Plata RBI-single to right before a Hallett single drove him in as the Zips evened things up at four runs apiece.

NMSU added three runs in the fourth inning on a three-run homer to center and repeated the act in the fifth on a two-run homer to dead center to extend its lead to 9-4, chasing Foster from the game. An Aggie solo home run in the sixth made it 10-4 as Kevin Kumazec gave up his lone run of the night before settling in to record two strikeouts and retire the side.

Turocy launched a home run of his own-his first this season on a shot to center, providing the 10-5 final in the shortened contest (seven innings). Turocy paced the UA lineup, finishing 3-for-4 with a RBI and three runs scored while Hallett was 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs and a walk. Freshman James Sheltrown was 1-for-3 in registering his first career hit in the night cap.

Akron and New Mexico close out the four-game series tomorrow with a 3:05 pm ET contest.



Middle Tennessee State 5, Ohio 4
MURFREESBORO, Tenn.-The Ohio baseball team attempted to dig itself out of a three-run hole late in its game against Middle Tennessee, but ran out of time as it dropped a 5-4 decision to the Blue Raiders Saturday afternoon at Reese Smith Jr. Field.

Middle Tennessee improved to 3-1 overall, while Ohio dropped to 1-4.

MTSU left fielder Justin Jones drove in two runs, while third baseman Tyler Burnett had three hits and two runs scored, something also accomplished by center fielder Bryce Brentz. All three of Burnett's hits were doubles.

Ohio center fielder Gauntlett Eldemire led the way with two RBIs for the visitors, while he, first baseman Jerod Yakubik and third baseman Seth Streich all posted a pair of hits.

The Blue Raiders' Justin Guidry (1-0) was credited with the win after tossing three and two-thirds innings in relief, with one earned run, five hits, a strikeout and a walk. Kevin Whittaker earned his second save by allowing a Bobcat walk and two hits in the ninth inning.

Ohio's Michael Dillon (0-1) suffered the loss after a rough seventh inning. He finished with one inning pitched with two earned runs and four hits. Dillon came on in relief of Ohio starter Jason Moulton, who allowed no earned runs and five hits with six strikeouts and one walk. Bobcat freshman right hander Brock Trimbur finished the game in fine fashion, surrendering just a walk and a hit with a strikeout in two innings pitched.

"We're still trying to get out of the first inning without giving up runs," said Ohio head coach Joe Carbone. "If we can find a way to do that, we'll be ok. I thought Moulton pitched well and, offensively, we hit balls hard but they were right at people. We're rolling a lot of our young guys out there so it's good for them to get that experience. The important thing is that we're still getting better every day."

After Middle Tennessee notched two first-inning runs, Ohio fought back to tie the game with a pair of tallies in its half of the fifth off Blue Raider starter Daniel Palo (4.1 IP, three hits, two runs, one strikeout, five walks). Left fielder Matt Keller drew a leadoff walk and came around to score when shortstop Wesley O'Neill reached on a fielder's choice. Eldemire then knocked in Streich, who doubled down the right field line three batters earlier, with a base knock of his own.

The Blue Raiders responded with three runs in the seventh, but Ohio's comeback attempt in the ninth frame made things interesting. Eldemire ripped an RBI single up the middle to score O'Neill, who led off the inning with a single through the left side, to make it 5-3. Second baseman Bryan Barnes then came in when right fielder Robert Maddox III grounded into a double play to slice the lead to one. Pinch hitter Sam Mahoney was able to coax a walk out of Whittaker but a fly out to center ended the contest.

Ohio left 11 men on base, while MTSU stranded 10.

The final game of the series is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT) where Ohio will send left hander Brent Choban to the mound.

Kent State 11-7, Wake Forest 5-8
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Kent State won a marathon 12-inning affair in game one of the double header, but Wake Forest rallied from a 5-1 deficit win 8-7.

"Well, I thought Kyle Hallock gave us a quality start in game one," said head coach Scott Stricklin. "Ryan Mace came in and was outstanding. He pitched really well. We didn't execute very well.

"We let it game two slip away. We were winning. We had the game under control. We walked a couple guys. It was disappointing to have a lead like that and give it up," said Stricklin.

Kent State is 3-3 after the day while Wake Forest is 3-5, ending a five-game slide.

Sophomore Jimmy Rider led the Golden Flashes with a 5-for-10 day from the plate with three RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore Travis Shaw was 2-for-10, but hit a home run in each game for five RBI.

Sophomore Kyle McMillen earned the win in game one, allowing two hits and one earned run over the final two innings of work in game one. Freshman Casey Wilson took the loss in game two, giving up two hits and one run over 1.1 innings.

In game one, Kent State tallied an unearned run in the top of the first to take a 1-0 lead. KSU junior starter Kyle Hallock held Wake Forest scoreless in the first and second, but a three-run home run by Steven Brooks gave the Demon Deacons a 3-1 lead after three.

Wake Forest added a run in the fourth to jump up 4-1 until KSU cut the deficit to one with a pair of unearned runs in the fifth. Redshirt junior Jared Bartholomew led off the inning with a walk while fifth-year senior Cory Hindel reached on a fielding error. Rider and senior Anthony Gallas added RBI singles to bring the score to 4-3.

Both teams failed to score until the top of the ninth, when KSU took full advantage of four walks. Bartholomew and Hindel both received free passes to begin the inning. Fifth-year senior Jared Humphries sacrificed both runners over to second and third before Rider was intentionally walked. After Shaw Struck out, Gallas drew a four-pitch walk to tie the ballgame.

In extra innings, both teams added a run in the 11th before Kent State exploded for six runs in the 12th. With one out, junior Ben Klafczynski went all the way to second on a Wake Forest throwing error. McMillen followed with an RBI single to score what was the winning run.

However, the inning was not over as Bartholomew was walked and Humphreys was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Rider followed with a two-RBI single and Shaw added his second home run of the year to push the lead to six.

McMillen retired the Demon Deacons in order in the 12th to finish off his first win of the 2010 season.

"To be honest with you, I don't think we really deserved to win that game," said Stricklin. "Kyle McMillen did a nice job to get the win, and Travis Shaw's hit kind of sealed the deal."

In game two, Kent State took a 5-1 lead thanks to a solo home run in the first by Shaw, a two-RBI double by Humphreys in the third and Bartholomew's first round-tripper by Batholomew in the fourth, but Wake exploded for six runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 7-5 lead. Freshman Addison Dunn allowed six runs (only one earned) on three hits and three walks.

Gallas cut the deficit in half with a solo home run in the fifth while Humphreys added an RBI single in the sixth to tie the ballgame. Wake Forest pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the seventh when Shane Kroker singled and scored on Mark Rhine's RBI double.

Kent State and Wake Forest will play the final game of the series tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. and can be heard live on KentStateSports.com.

Kentucky 4, Bowling Green 3
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- For the second time in as many days, the Bowling Green Falcons gave the Kentucky Wildcats a ninth inning scare before falling 4-3 on Saturday afternoon. Following an hour delay due to field preparation after inclement weather conditions on Friday, Bowling Green took an early lead but one big inning spoiled the day.

For the third consecutive game, the Falcons scored the game's first run on an RBI ground out from Tyler Elkins (Saint Henry, Ohio). After Jon Berti (Troy, Mich.) singled up the middle off of Kentucky starting pitcher Taylor Rogers and Logan Meisler (Port Clinton, Ohio) drew a walk putting men on first and second base, Dennis Vaughn (Kirtland, Ohio) sacrificed both runners to second and third. Elkins' grounder to the left side was enough to allow the speedy Berti to score from third and give the Falcons the 1-0 lead after their first at-bat.

Led by freshman Michael Frank (Maumee, Ohio) the Falcons kept the Wildcats off of the board after the first inning, but the second inning brought a deficit that would prove too much for the Falcons to overcome in the end.

Frank forced two fly outs and hit Keenan Wiley to put a man on first with two out in the bottom half of the second inning. Following G. Glad's flyout, L. Ray doubled to right field but a throwing error by Falcon outfielder Mark Galvin (Pickerington, Ohio) allowed Wiley to score and Ray to advance to third base. With the score 1-1, Wildcats, T. Black followed the double with an RBI single, scoring Ray, before stealing second base with Chris Bisson at bat. Bisson drew a walk to put runners on first and second base to lead into C. Wright's two-RBI double to left-center field. On the double, both Ray and Bisson scored giving Kentucky a 4-1 advantage.

After allowing three hits in the second inning and four hits combined in the first two innings, Frank settled down and did not allow another run and only surrendered two additional hits in his remaining four innings of work. Frank finished having thrown six complete innings, allowing four runs (all earned) and striking out a pair of Wildcats before giving way to the Falcon bullpen in the seventh inning.
Charles Wooten (Elmore, Ohio) kept the Falcons in the game tossing two innings of scoreless relief in the seventh and eighth innings and allowing only three baserunners. The Wildcat pen also kept the Falcon bats quiet. After Rogers finished his six inning, one run performance Jordan Cooper and Braden Kapteyn pitched the final three innings to close the deal, but not without getting a scare from the Falcon offense whom nearly succeeded in coming back from the three-run deficit in the ninth inning.

The Falcons did all of their damage with two out in the top of the ninth inning following a Galvin single and four-six-three double play turned by the Wildcats. Kentucky's reliever, Cooper, seemed to be cruising to a three-run victory but lost control and allowed the Falcons an opportunity to close the gap.

Freshman Matthew Pitzulo (Poland, Ohio) drew a two-out walk before T.J. Blanton (Sandusky, Ohio) singled down the left field line. Jon Berti loaded the bases with his single through the left side of the infield to set the field for Logan Meisler. Needing a change on the hill, skipper Gary Henderson made the call to the bullpen for Kapteyn to try to close out the game for UK.

Meisler tallied an RBI single through the right side of the diamond, scoring Pitzulo and cutting the deficit to two runs before Dennis Vaughn drew a walk, scoring Blanton from third. With the bases still full and two outs, the Falcons now only trailed Kentucky by one run with Tyler Elkins at bat. Elkins, however, was forced into grounding out to second base, ending the game.

Jon Berti led the Falcons from the top of the order going three-for-five and scoring the game's opening run. Seven of the Falcons' nine starting hitters recorded at least one hit on the day with the two-three-four hitters generating all three runs batted in on the day.

With the loss, the Falcons remain without a win through five games (0-5) heading into the final game of the three game set with Kentucky. Kentucky remains perfect, improving to 5-0 on the young season. Sunday's game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Catch the game online through BGSUFalcons.com with live stats, game audio or video provided by the University of Kentucky.

UAB 6-10, Ball State 0-9
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A day after posting a victory over UAB, Ball State's baseball team suffered a pair of losses in a Saturday doubleheader against the Blazers.

With the losses, the Cardinals fall to 2-4 overall, while UAB evened its overall record at 2-2.

Ball State suffered a 6-0 loss in the first game and then lost a 12-inning heartbreaker to the Blazers by a 10-9 margin in the nightcap.

In the first game, the Cardinals mustered only three hits -- a double in the first inning by Ryan Chenoweth, a single in the seventh by Stephen Claypool and a double in the ninth by Ian Nielsen. Cal Bowling took the loss after starting the game for the Cardinals and pitching four and two thirds innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out four batters. Morgan Coombs came on in relief and went three and a third innings, allowing only one earned run and striking out two.

After UAB opened the bottom half of the first with one run, a pitching duel ensued with neither team scoring any additional runs through the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, the Blazers were able to put another run on the board to take a 2-0 lead with four innings to play. UAB added three runs in the bottom half of the seventh to take a commanding 5-0 lead, and then put up another in the eighth to make it 6-0.

In the nightcap, Ball State tallied 14 hits and allowed the Blazers only eight in the 12 innings, but walked eight batters and hit two additional hitters in the loss.

Jon Cisna suffered the loss after pitching the final two and two thirds innings and allowing on unearned run. Scott Brothers started the game for the Cardinals and pitched six innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs, while striking out two and walking only one.

Cody Elliott and Kolbrin Vitek both hit homeruns in the game, and five batters notched two hits apiece.

After taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the third, UAB responded with two in its bottom half of the third. The game stayed 2-2 until the Cardinals racked up two more in the sixth inning after a Stephen Claypool RBI single and a T.J. Baumet RBI single put the Cardinals ahead 4-2.

Elliott's first homerun of the season was a solo shot in the seventh and gave Ball State a 5-2 lead. But UAB responded with its biggest inning of the day - a five run seventh - to take a 7-5 lead.

The Cardinals responded with three more in the top of the eighth to take an 8-7 lead. A Zach Dygert double followed by a Claypool RBI single started the scoring in the eighth. Wes Winkle pinch ran for Claypool and advanced to second on a wild pitch before scoring on a Kirby Campbell double to left field. Campbell later scored on a wild pitch and Ball State had the lead.

After holding the Blazers scoreless in the bottom of the eighth, Ball State added a run in the ninth and took the two-run lead into the final at bat for UAB. But the Blazers extended the game with a pair of runs and added one in the bottom of the 12th. The game winning run came after a fielding error, a walk, a hit by pitch and a fielder's choice RBI.

Ball State will conclude the four game series with UAB with a 1 p.m. (CT) Sunday game at Young Memorial Field.

Miami 7-2, Lousianna-Lafayette 5-13
LAFAYETTE, La. - The Miami University baseball team rallied in the ninth inning to tie the game and then scored two runs in the 11th inning to win game one of a doubleheader against Louisiana-Lafayette, 7-5, Saturday at ULL's Moore Field, before falling in the nightcap, 13-2. Rain Friday night postponed the scheduled series opener between the RedHawks (2-3) and Ragin' Cajuns (4-1), forcing Saturday's twin bill.

Sophomore Jordan Jankowski (McMurray, Pa.) spurred Miami to victory in game one with a two-RBI single up the middle in the 11th frame to break a 5-5 tie while also earning the win (1-0) on the mound by tossing the final three innings without allowing a hit or run and firing five strikeouts.

"Jordan did just a terrific job coming out of the bullpen. He threw some quality pitches when he needed to," head coach Dan Simonds said. "He just did a great job and he had to hit when we lost our DH because we had to make some lineup changes. He came up and got a big hit to win the game."

After Jankowski sat down the Ragin' Cajuns in order in the bottom of the 10th, junior right fielder Adam Eaton (Springfield, Ohio) was hit by a pitch to lead off the 11th and junior second baseman Jon Edgington (Cincinnati, Ohio) reached on an error. The next two RedHawks recorded outs and junior catcher Adam Weisenburger (Plymouth, Minn.) then struck out but reached on a wild pitch that got by ULL's catcher to load the bases. Jankowski followed with the go-ahead single that plated Eaton and Edgington in his first at-bat of 2010.

"It was a great hustle play by Weisenburger to beat the ball to second base after their guy made a great play on the ball," Simonds said. "It was just a really, really good hustle play to avoid the force out at second, which allowed Edgington to come around from second and score, as well."

Miami out-hit Louisiana-Lafayette 12-6 in game one led by a 3-for-4 performance from Eaton, who finished with four runs scored and three RBI, while Edgington and junior shortstop Brad Gschwind (Cincinnati, Ohio) each tallied a pair of hits. RedHawk starting hurler Tyler Melling (Bellefontaine, Ohio) went seven innings and allowed five runs on six hits while Dayton Marze (1-1) suffered the loss for the Ragin' Cajuns.

Eaton gave the 'Hawks an early 3-0 lead in game one with a three-run blast over the left field wall in the second stanza, his first round-tripper of the year, but ULL earned one back in the third. The teams traded runs in the fourth, as Eaton tripled and Edgington singled to bring him home while a sac fly from right fielder Daniel Nichols plated the Ragin' Cajuns' run to make it 4-2.

Louisiana-Lafayette then grabbed the lead in the bottom of the sixth on a three-run homer by third baseman Jordan Poirrier that put ULL up 5-4. The contest stayed a one-run game until the top of the ninth when Eaton led off with a single, advanced to second on a groundout, stole third base and then crossed home on an RBI groundout by sophomore Pat Glass (Upper St. Claire, Pa.), who came in as a sub in the eighth inning, to even the game at five and force extra innings, as Louisiana-Lafayette did not threaten in the bottom of the frame.

The nightcap of the doubleheader started off well for the RedHawks as junior first baseman Kyle Weldon (Mason, Ohio) belted his first-career home run in the first inning to put Miami up 1-0, but ULL answered with two runs in the bottom of the stanza to grab a 2-1 lead it would not relinquish. The 'Hawks would not record another hit until the sixth inning while the Ragin' Cajuns tallied a run in the second and third innings, the latter on another longball by Poirrier, to go up 4-1.

In the fourth, a double and triple by Louisiana-Lafayette plated another pair of runs to make it 6-1. Another ULL run in the sixth and three runs each in the seventh and eighth stanzas blew the game open, as Miami registered its only other run of the game on an RBI single by Weisenburger in the eighth, leading to the 13-2 final.

"They're pitcher did a pretty good job of keeping us off balance. We just could not really do anything at the plate," Simonds said of the second game. "Pitching-wise, Reece Asbury kept us in the game even though they chipped away with a run here and there but we still had some opportunities and we just didn't capitalize."

The Ragin' Cajuns out-hit the RedHawks 15-6 in the nightcap, led by three hits and three runs from Poirrier and a pair of hits and three RBI from catcher Chad Keefer, who clubbed a three-run bomb in the eighth. Four other Ragin' Cajuns also registered a pair of hits. Taylor Hubbell (1-0) earned the win on the hill for ULL, going seven innings and allowing just a run on two hits with six punchouts, while Miami starter Reece Asbury (Centerville, Ohio) suffered the loss (0-1) as he lasted 3.1 innings and surrendered five runs (four earned) on four hits with four strikeouts.

The RedHawks and Ragin' Cajuns play the deciding game of their three-game series Sunday at noon ET. Freshman Brooks Fiala (Carmel, Ind.) will take the mound for Miami while junior J.T. Geith will start for Louisiana-Lafayette. Miami will be without the services of junior outfielder Bryce Redeker (Watseka, Ill.) Sunday, as he also missed the second game Saturday with a leg injury.

Austin Peay 4, Northern Illinois 3
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Similar to yesterday's contest, the Northern Illinois baseball team fell behind early and showed resilience as NIU rallied with two runs in the ninth inning only to come up short again, 4-3, against Austin Peay on Saturday afternoon at Raymond C. Hand Park in the second of a three-game series.

"We fought hard to get back into it and put ourselves in a position to win," said NIU head coach Ed Mathey. "When we are trailing and continue to fight back like this, we are going to win some games. Obviously, we'd rather be leading, not chasing."

After leaving three runners stranded in scoring position in the first two frames, the Huskies (0-5) fell behind in the third due in large part to a pair of fielding errors as the first two batters of the inning reached on miscues by freshman second baseman Jamison Wells (Combined Locks, Wis./Kimberly) and junior left fielder Cory Krupp (Cary, Ill./Santa Barbara City College). After a sacrifice bunt, second baseman Jon Clinard delivered an RBI single and center fielder Jared DeLong recorded an RBI fielder's choice to give the Governors (4-2) a 2-0 lead.

The Govs increased their lead in the fourth on a solo homer run from catcher Haskell Fink and added another in the fifth after consecutive one-out single, error and a stolen base set up right fielder Adam Browett, who drove in a run on an RBI ground out to give APSU a 4-0 advantage.

NIU left two more runners on in its half of the fifth before breaking through with a tally in the sixth. Senior center fielder Jordin Hood (Hawthorn Woods, Ill./Lake Zurich) started the frame off with a single and senior first baseman Dave Reynolds (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) was hit by an errant pitch from lefty starter Stephen Huff to set up sophomore third baseman Troy White's (Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young) RBI single. However, Huff recovered to strikeout the next three batters to escape the jam.

"The sixth inning was huge because we could have gotten more out of it," Mathey said. "Even if we hit into a double-play, we get another run out of that inning. We need to do a better job of putting the ball in play in those types of situations."

The Huskies then put the outcome in doubt again in the ninth against Govs closer Zach Gerler. Junior designated hitter Joe Etcheverry (Bakersfield, Calif./Centennial) began the inning with a single and sophomore pinch hitter Alex Beckmann (Batavia, Ill./Batavia) followed with a walk before junior pinch hitter Kevin Smith (Wheaton, Ill./North) singled to load the bases. After senior second baseman Joe Buonavolanto (Willowbrook, Ill./Hinsdale South) struck out, Krupp came through with an RBI walk. Sophomore short stop Alex Jones (Kansas City, Kan./Piper) then struck out before Hood was hit by Gerler's offering to bring in another run and put the tying tally on third. But Reynolds flew out to end the rally and give the Govs the series win.

"Again, we need to put the ball in play and see what happens," Mathey said. "We had two pinch hitters in that inning. Kevin and Alex did a great job in those at-bats. The strikeouts hurt us today, though. We gave away three runs in the field and struck out too much. We need to figure out a better two-strike approach for our team."

Huff (1-0) earned the win by allowing one earned run on two hits and four walks with 11 strikeouts in seven innings of work. Gerler picked up his third save of the season despite surrendering a pair of earned runs in the ninth on two hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Huskie junior starter Zach Oates (Wheaton, Ill./North) took the loss (0-1) in just his second career start after allowing four runs, three unearned, on four hits and a walk with a career-high tying five strikeouts in a career-long seven innings.

"Zach was outstanding today," said Mathey. "We could not have asked for more in his first start. He probably could have gone longer but we didn't want to do that in his first outing. The only mistake he had all day was the homer, and that hit the top of the fence and the foul pole. If he can give us this type of effort on a consistent basis, we are going to be really happy."

Clinard led the APSU offense with two singles in four at-bats with a run and an RBI, while Hood led the Huskies with a 1-for-4 day, one run scored and an RBI. Additionally, Krupp reached base on three walks, drove in a run and stole his first base as a Huskie.

The teams will complete the series tomorrow with a 1 p.m. CDT contest.

Dallas Baptist 13-4, Western Michigan 9-3
DALLAS- Western Michigan lost both games of a doubleheader Saturday at Dallas Baptist. The Broncos fell in the first game, 13-9, and were edged 4-3 after allowing a walk-off home run in the second. WMU travels to Florida for seven games next week.

Dallas Baptist trailed early, but scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth and four more in the seventh to get by the Broncos. WMU had jumped out to a 3-0 lead through the first three innings and led 7-6 after six and a half.

Jamie Simpson hit Western Michigan's first home run of the season in the first inning, a two-run blast to left field. Kyle Galbraith, Tim Cross, Jack Scanlon, Ryan McMillin each had two hits in the game and the team totaled 10 overall. Galbraith and McMillin joined Simpson with two RBIs. McMillin and Chris Lewis each doubled.

Dallas Baptist went without a hit through the first three innings but then pounded out 19, seven of which were doubles, over the last six.

Billy Morrison started on the mound for WMU and went 4.2 innings before giving away to John Navage. Morrison (0-1) allowed six runs on eight hits. Navage lasted just four outs, giving up five runs on seven hits. Tim Mowry finished out the game.

Western Michigan got on the board again first in game two. The Broncos scored a run in the second and added two more in the seventh to open a 3-0 lead.

Eric Heckaman threw a brilliant six innings before giving up a solo home run to Ryan Behmanesh in the seventh. That was the only run the junior right-hander allowed as he scattered seven hits and struck out two.

Troy Forton (0-1) came on in relief and got the Broncos out of the seventh and worked effectively in the eighth. Unfortunately, Forton ran into trouble in the ninth. Austin Knight drew a leadoff walk and scored on a double by Ryan Enos to put DBU down one, 3-2. After fouling off the first pitch on an attempted bunt, Tyler Robbins got a hold of Forton's next offering and sent it over the left field wall for a two-run walk-off home run.

WMU's Tim Cross went 3-for-4 with a double in game two, while Patrick Duncan went 2-for-4. Duncan, Andrew Butkus and Jordan Easom each had an RBI. WMU had seven hits total.

Robbins led Dallas Baptist (6-1) on the day going 6-for-10, with six RBI. Duncan McAlpine tossed the final 3.1 innings in game one to get the win and Behmanesh allowed the Broncos just one hit in through last two innings in game two for the victory.

The Broncos (0-3) begin play in Florida with games against Illinois State and Northeastern in Auburndale on Monday. WMU then hops over to Winter Haven for the other five games later in the week.

Charlotte 8, Buffalo 4
CHARLOTTE, NC - The University at Buffalo baseball team was unable to overcome eight unanswered runs by Charlotte as the Bulls fell, 8-4 in game two of their season opening series with the 49ers at Hayes Stadium on Saturday afternoon. In the Bulls' loss, seniors Adam Skonieczki and Rob Lawler each hit their first home runs of the season.

Following three scoreless innings, the Bulls drove in the first runs for the second game in a row. To open the top of the fourth, junior transfer David Neff hit a single to right center to put the Bulls on base. Facing a 3-2 count with Neff on first, Skonieczki drilled a ball to left field to give the Bulls a 2-0 lead. Later in the inning, senior Brad Cochrane sent a double down the left-field line, driving in senior Jacob Rosenbeck to extend Buffalo's lead to 3-0.

In the bottom of the inning, the 49ers quickly erased the Bulls' three-run lead with three of their own, tying the contest at 3-3. With two outs, the 49ers hit an RBI-double followed by a two-RBI double to tie the contest.

Charlotte continued its streak of unanswered runs with five runs in the next four innings including a pair of runs in the sixth and eighth to take an 8-3 lead.

Lawler scored the Bulls' final run in the top of the ninth off a solo shot to left field. The Bulls' chance for a rally came to an end with a ground out short stop.

Senior Chaz Mye (0-1) recorded the Bulls' loss in 4.1 innings of work with three strikeouts.

Neff went 2-for-4 at the plate while Skonieczki drove in a pair of runs.

Buffalo (0-2, 0-0 MAC) will play its final game of the season opening series on Sunday, February 28 against Charlotte (3-2, 0-0 A-10) with the first pitch set for 12:00 pm.

Wichita State 11, Eastern Michigan 1
MOBILE, Ala. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University baseball team dropped its second game of the Coca-Cola Classic at Stanky Field in Mobile, Ala., as the Eagles fell to the No. 27 ranked Wichita State University Shockers, 11-1, Saturday evening, Feb. 27.
The Eagles drop to 1-3 this season, while Wichita State improves to 2-0 this season with the win.

Sophomore pitcher Jordan Glover (Toronto, Ontario-Ontario Schools) took the loss for Eastern Michigan, as he went five and two-thirds innings, giving up 11 runs on 12 hits and two walks, while striking out just one.

Junior Ken Battiston (West Milton, Ohio-Milton Union) scored EMU's only run of the game on the second pitch of the contest, as his opposite field solo home run over the right field wall in the top of the first was the first of his career. Through four games, Battiston has six hits, which matches his total through his first two seasons at Eastern Michigan.

The Eagles got on the board early in the contest, as Battiston, hitting in the lead-off spot for the first time in his career, belted Jordan Cooper's second offering over the wall in right-center to give EMU a 1-0 advantage. Battiston finished the game 1-for-3 with one run scored and an RBI.

However, the lead would be short lived, as the Shockers capitalized on walks to the first two batters, scoring three runs on a pair of hits in the bottom half of the first inning to take a 3-1 lead. Wichita State tacked on one more in the bottom of the second inning to go ahead, 4-1.

That was all WSU pitcher Jordan Cooper would need, as he retired 15 batters in-a-row until a two-out base hit by redshirt sophomore transfer Ben Magsig (Okemos, Mich.-Okemos-Lansing C.C.) in the top of the sixth. Cooper went six innings, allowing just one run on three hits and striking out six to pick up the victory for the Shockers.

The Shockers tallied three runs in the bottom of the fifth, as a two-run Clint McKeever double to left center and an RBI ground out by O'Brien put EMU down, 6-1. Wichita State would go up by 10 runs an inning later with four runs on four hits, including a McKeever home run, as the Eagles went down, 11-1. McKeever finished the contest 4-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored and five RBI.

The Eagles close out the Coca-Cola Classic tomorrow morning when they take on the University of North Florida Ospreys (1-4) at 11 a.m. at Spring Hill College. Afterwards and not part of the tournament, EMU will again take on the University of South Alabama at 4 p.m. at Stanky Field.