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MACBats: Plesac throws shutout, Adryan homers twice on busy Saturday

Buffalo and Eastern Michigan stayed perfect on the MAC's opening weekend Saturday.

Ball State (13-11, 1-1) 9, Miami (9-11, 1-1) 0

Zach Plesac has gotten beaten around a good amount in the early going this season, which has to make Cardinals fans pretty happy with what they saw from him Saturday. Plesac hurled a two-hit complete game shutout against the big, bad bats of Miami, striking out 11 and walking none. First baseman Caleb Stayton finished 2-for-4 with two RBI's, while catcher Jarett Rindfleisch and shortstop Alex Maloney also collected two hits apiece. Cole Gnetz took the loss for the RedHawks, giving up seven runs, six earned, in 6 1/3rd innings of work. The rubber match of this series is scheduled for Sunday at 1:00p.m.

Buffalo (8-10, 2-0) 6, Toledo (3-20-1, 0-2) 4

Designated hitter Vinny Mallaro continued to torch the Rockets on Saturday with another strong day at the plate, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI's to lead the Bulls' offense. Left fielder Mike Abrunzo collected two hits and an RBI on the afternoon, while third baseman Chris Kwitzer doubled and drove in a run as well. Charlie Sobierowski lived dangerously but got the win, walking six and allowing four hits but holding the Rockets to four runs in 6 2/3rd innings. Mike Kaelin earned save number five of the year with 2 1/3rd innings of scoreless relief work. Toledo will look to avoid the sweep Sunday at 1:00p.m.

Ohio (10-12, 1-1) 4, Northern Illinois (5-17, 1-1) 2

Third baseman John Adryan has turned from consistent hitter to certified planet masher in 2016, and Saturday was his strongest showing yet, as he blasted his sixth and seventh homers of the year to lead the Bobcats to their first conference win of the year. Catcher Cody Gaertner, meanwhile, doubled in the afternoon to stretch his hitting streak to 19 games. Jake Rudnicki picked up the win with seven innings of two run, two hit work, during which he walked three and struck out two. On the Huskies' side, center fielder Justin Fletcher crushed a solo homer, while left fielder Brandon Mallder collected a pair of hits. This series will get decided Sunday at 1:00p.m.

Eastern Michigan (8-13, 2-0) 4, Bowling Green (8-15, 0-2) 0

Augie Gallardo looked terrific on Saturday in 5 1/3rd innings of pitching, holding the Falcons scoreless and striking out seven to pick up the win. Shortstop Marquise Gill got his chores done at the top of the Eagles' lineup, finishing 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored while center fielder Jackson Martin went 2-for-4 and scored twice. Zac Carey took the loss for Bowling Green despite a quality three earned runs allowed in six innings, as he allowed eight hits while walking two and fanning two. Bowling Green will get one more shot at Eastern Michigan Sunday at 1:00p.m.

Western Michigan (7-13) 6, Bradley 3

Non-MAC wins are still wins, and the Broncos picked up a solid one in Indiana on Saturday, riding a pinch-hit grand slam by Evan Nelson to victory. Jacob Piechota earned the win with 3 1/3rd innings of relief work in which he allowed two runs on four hits and fanned two. Jake Bartels then notched his first save of the year with a pair of scoreless frames to close things. The Broncos will match up with Butler to finish their weekend Sunday at 3:30p.m.

Central Michigan 13, Kent State 10 - Suspended Game

This one was called on account of darkness with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, with the Flashes clinging to life with the tying run standing in the on deck circle. It will resume at 12:05p.m. Sunday, with the Sunday's game to follow 30 minutes after this one ends.