MACBats roundup: Kent State, Buffalo, Toledo get first wins of season on Friday

Toledo (1-3-1) 3, Charlotte 2

Junior Steven Calhoun lived dangerously to get his win on the mound Friday, allowing one run on eight hits and two walks in five innings of work. Freshman Casey Johnson then turned in a fine performance in relief, tossing three shutout innings. Toledo got two-hit performances from left fielder A.J. Montoya, first baseman Josh Cales and third baseman Brad Soss, with Montoya's including a triple. Shortstop Deion Tansel and catcher Lucas Sokol, meanwhile, each went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Toledo takes on Charlotte again Saturday at 12:00p.m.

Murray State 17, Northern Illinois (0-5) 4

The Huskies' rough start to the season continued on Friday, with Murray State piling on 17 runs on 18 hits and five walks in the win. Junior Joe Hawks took the loss, allowing eight runs, six earned, on ten hits and a walk in 3 2/3rd innings. Junior Jon Savarise stopped the bleeding in relief, throwing two shutout innings and striking out four to end the game. Northern Illinois got a good chunk of its offense from center fielder Justin Fletcher, who finished the day 3-for-3 with three doubles and two walks. Catcher Johnny Zubek went 1-for-2 with three walks and drove in two. The Huskies will take on Murray State in a double-header Saturday at 12:00p.m.

UAB 12, Ohio (2-2) 6

The Blazers piled it on in bunches Friday, putting together five, four and three run innings to blow out the Bobcats in the series opener. Sophomore Gerry Salisbury took the loss, allowing six runs on six hits in 4 1/3rd innings while striking out four. At the plate, Ohio got 3-hit performances from left fielder Mitch Longo and catcher Cody Gaertner, with Gaertner adding an RBI. Designated hitter Nate Squires went 2-for-4 with two runs driven in, while right fielder Tony Giannini went 1-for-4 with two RBI's of his own. Ohio rematches UAB at 3:00p.m. Saturday.

Belmont 3, Western Michigan (0-4) 1

Junior Keegan Akin was the victim of some tough luck Friday, taking the loss despite a seven-inning, two run gem on the mound. Akin allowed just four hits and two walks and struck out eight for Western Michigan. Third baseman Grant Miller went 2-for-4 in the leadoff spot, while second baseman Nick Vogelmeier went 1-for-3 with an RBI in the loss. Western Michigan takes on Middle Tennessee State at 2:00p.m. Saturday.

Saint Mary's 15, Central Michigan (0-5) 4

Senior Sean Renzi ran into some trouble on the mound Friday, allowing seven runs, six earned, on five hits and seven walks in 2 2/3rd innings. Shortstop Zach McKinstry put together a 3-for-5 day at the plate with two doubles and two runs scored, while second baseman Jarrod Watkins finished 2-for-3. Morgan Oliver, meanwhile, hit a pinch-hit 2-run homer for the Chippewas. Central Michigan will face off against Grand Canyon Saturday at 8:00p.m.

Ball State (2-3) 11, Milwaukee 5

First baseman Caleb Stayton put together a monster afternoon, going 2-for-4 with a home run and six RBI's to power the Cardinals' effort on Friday. Right fielder Alex Call went 3-for-4 with a double, triple and two runs scored, while catcher Jarett Rindfleisch finished 2-for-3 with three runs scored. Call and Rindfleisch each also tallied a stolen base. Junior Zach Plesac lasted just four innings on the mound in the start, allowing four runs on ten hits and a walk. Senior Matt Haro landed the win with five innings of one-run relief on the mound. Ball State will participate in the first MAC game of the season Saturday, taking on Kent State at 11:00a.m. in the RussMatt Invitational.

South Florida 8, Eastern Michigan (3-4) 4

South Florida took advantage of some defensive miscues to put up a four-run fourth inning and propel itself to a win over the Eagles on Friday. Shortstop Marquise Gill went 2-for-5 at the plate with a double and two RBI's in the loss, providing most of the offense for Eastern Michigan. John Rensel Jr. also drove in a run in a pinch hit appearance. Davis Feldman allowed four runs, one earned on the mound for the Eagles in four innings, striking out six and walking one. Eastern Michigan will face South Florida again at 6:30p.m. Saturday.

Seattle 3, Bowling Green (1-2) 0

Bowling Green was held to just three hits on Friday, two of which came from shortstop Nick Glanzman. Junior C.J. Schildt took the loss despite holding Seattle to three runs, two earned on six hits in five innings on the mound. Senior Devin Daugherty and junior Trevor Farrell combined for three innings of shutout relief while the Falcons tried to mount a comeback. Bowling Green will take on Seattle in a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 4:00p.m.

Kent State (1-3) 6,  George Washington 4 (F/11)

Kent State picked up its first win of the season Friday on the back of a strong start by junior ace Eric Lauer on the mound. The lefty tossed 5 2/3rd innings and allowed just two runs, one earned, on five hits, walking four and fanning eight. Left fielder Alex Miklos, first baseman Conner Simonetti and third baseman Dylan Rosa all collected two hits and a double, with Rosa collecting two RBI's. Designated hitter Zarley Zalewski put together a 3-for-5 afternoon, while right fielder Luke Burch went 1-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored out of the leadoff spot. Kent State faces Ball State at 11:00a.m. on Saturday.

Buffalo (1-3) 5, Tennessee-Martin 3

Center fielder Alex Thrower and shortstop Bobby Sheppard combined for five hits at the top of the batting order to power the Bulls to their first win of the season. Junior Alec Tuohy put together a fine performance on the mound, tossing 5 1/3rd innings and allowing three runs, two earned on seven hits while striking out three. Junior Mike Kaelin earned his first save of the season, tossing three innings to close the game and allowing no runs on just three hits while striking out four. Buffalo faces Tennessee-Martin again at 2:00p.m. Saturday.

Lipscomb 13, Miami (1-3) 6

Left fielder Gary Russo continued his hot start on Friday, blasting his third home run in just four games as Miami fell to Lipscomb in Nashville. First baseman Ross Haffey doubled twice and collected three RBI's and right fielder Tyler Harris went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Senior Brad Schwartz lasted just three innings in the loss, surrendering eight runs, seven earned, on five hits and five walks. Miami faces Belmont Saturday at 2:00p.m.