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Ball State 4, Northern Illinois 1
The Cardinals (30-15, 14-4 MAC) picked up its fifth consecutive win and stayed on top of the MAC standings thanks to their pitching staff holding the Huskies (14-31, 10-10 MAC) to just three hits in the contest. BSU started things off in the first inning with a Ross Messina homer run while an Andre Orselli solo homer in the fourth inning and a Chase Sebby sacrifice fly in the seventh inning made the lead 3-0. NIU got on the board with a Jordan Larson sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning but William Baker extended the lead for the Cards in the following inning with a RBI-single. John Baker was dominant in his start as he went seven innings with two hits allowed and six strikeouts.
Central Michigan 7, Bowling Green 3
Meanwhile, the Chippewas (32-12, 14-5 MAC) won their fourth straight game with relative ease as they outhit the Falcons (13-28, 6-13 MAC) 11-5. Only one of CMU’s runs were earned as a five-run second inning set the tone for the game. Griffin Lockwood-Powell led the way offensively as he went 3-4 (a triple away from the cycle) with two RBIs and a run scored, while Pat Leatherman had a good start on the mound with three hits allowed and nine strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work.
Kent State 11, Toledo 5
After a slow start to their season, the Flashes (24-20, 11-7 MAC) are now just three games back of the MAC lead with the win over the Rockets (15-29, 3-15 MAC). UT managed to take a 4-2 lead in the top of the third inning with RBIs from Chase Hatfield and Darryn Davis, but it was all KSU from their as it responded with a four-run inning in the bottom of the third and never looked back. Michael Turner had himself a day as he went 4-5 with four RBIs, two runs scored, and a pair of stolen bases. John Matthews was effective on the mound as he went six innings with two hits allowed and ten strikeouts.
Ohio 4, Miami 3
The Bobcats (16-27, 10-10 MAC) were able to hold on for the win over the RedHawks (33-13, 13-7 MAC) to move five games back of the MAC lead. Miami got on the board first in the fourth inning with a Mackay Williams RBI-single, but Ohio responded in the bottom of the inning with Nathan Mallott and Trevor Hafner both recording RBI-singles. The ‘Cats increased their lead in the following inning with RBI-doubles from Aaron Levy and Michael Richardson, while the ‘Hawks rounded out the scoring with a two-run homer from Williams in the seventh inning. Brett Manis picked up the save with one hit allowed and five strikeouts in three innings of work.
Western Michigan 12, Eastern Michigan 2
The Broncos (15-26, 8-10 MAC) dominated the Eagles (11-35-1, 6-14 MAC) from the start as a six-run first inning helped power their way to victory. Drew Devine had a monster day for WMU as he went 3-4 with three runs scored, a RBI, and a walk. EMU’s only points came from Cameron Cruz as he hit a two-run shot in the seventh inning. Brady Miller was dealing on the mound with four hits allowed and seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings of play.