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MACBats: Ball State sweeps doubleheader, Central Michigan notches first win

Miami slugged its way to a fourth straight win, while Kent State and Ohio dolling out big offensive punches of their own.

Kent State (6-3) 11, Charlotte 6

Designated hitter Zarley Zalewski homered and drove in two to help down Charlotte on the road and extend Kent State's win streak to six games after an 0-3 start. Junior Andy Ravel strung together a quality start of six innings pitched and just three runs allowed on seven hits and two walks, striking out a pair and hitting one. Shortstop Josh Hollander put together some strong offense out of the 9-hole, finishing 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI's and two runs scored. Right fielder Luke Burch went 1-for-5 in the lineup spot with an RBI and a pair of runs scored. Kent State will chase a sweep of Charlotte Sunday at 1:00p.m.

Central Michigan (1-8) 9, Villanova 5

Designated hitter Daniel Jipping homered, tripled and drove in three runs to help Central Michigan finally bust into the win column on Saturday in its ninth game of the season. Shortstop Zach McKinstry also finished 2-for-4 with three RBI's, while Jason Sullivan doubled, drove in one and scored one. Freshman Michael Brettman got the start for the Chips and surrendered three runs, one earned, on two hits and four walks in four innings pitched. Senior Sean Renzi got the win in relief, tossing the final 2 1/3 innings of the game and giving up two runs on four hits while walking two and striking out six. Central Michigan will look to make it back-to-back wins Sunday when it takes on Stetson.

Florida A&M 9, Western Michigan (0-8) 0

The Broncos amassed 11 hits on the afternoon but failed to plate a single one of them, staying winless through the first eight games of the 2016 campaign. Left fielder Evan Nelson and first baseman Hunter Prince each doubled, while right fielder Jesse Forestell finished with three hits and pinch hitter Alex Goodwin and designated hitter Steve Pastora each collected two hits. Sophomore Tanner Allison got tagged with his third loss of the season, surrendering two runs on three hits in three innings of work, walking four and striking out five. Western Michigan will get one more crack against Florida A&M tomorrow at 1:00p.m.

Bowling Green (3-5) 6, Appalachian State 2

Sophomore Zac Carey posted a strong start on Saturday, allowing just two runs, one earned, on three hits in 6 2/3rd innings to get his first win of the season. Shortstop Cody Callaway powered the Falcons' offense with a 3-for-4 performance that included a double and three RBI's, with left fielder Matt Smith contributing two hits and an RBI. Sophomore Kory Brown picked up his first save of the season with 2 1/3rd innings of scoreless pitching to close the game. Bowling Green will look for a third straight win on Sunday when it takes on Stony Brook at 12:30p.m.

F/10: Evansville 11, Northern Illinois (1-9) 10

The Huskies rallied from a 6-0 fifth inning deficit to take a late lead, only to see it slip away in extra innings on the road. First baseman Tommy Hook recorded a 3-for-4 performance with three RBI's, two walks and two runs scored out of the 5-hole while third baseman Luke Yapp smacked Northern Illinois' only extra base hit of the game with a double and three RBI's. Jason Gasser got a pinch hit appearance and came through with a two-run single. Huskies hitters were hit by pitches six times in the game. Northern Illinois will look to avoid the sweep when it faces Evansville again Sunday at 1:00p.m.

Kentucky 14, Buffalo (3-5) 3

A pair of home runs weren't enough to get the Bulls out of the massive hole they dug themselves early as they dropped another game on the road in Lexington. Right fielder Vinny Mallaro and catcher Billy Hartford each pegged bombs in the game, providing two of what turned out to be just three hits in the game for Buffalo. Designated hitter Mike Abrunzo doubled home third baseman Chris Kwitzer for the Bulls' only other run. Buffalo takes on Kentucky once more Sunday at 1:00p.m.

Miami (5-3) 11, Tennessee Tech 10

Designated hitter Gary Russo blasted his fifth home run of the young season Saturday as the RedHawks edged out Tennessee Tech for their fourth straight win. First baseman Ross Haffey finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while third baseman Adam Yacek and left fielder Dallas Hall each finished 2-for-4 with two RBI's. Sophomore Gus Graham picked up the win for Miami, throwing 2 2/3rd innings of relief and allowed three runs, two earned, on six hits and a walk. Junior Ryan Marske, meanwhile, recorded his third save of the season with two innings of shutout relief. Miami will go for the sweep Sunday at 1:00p.m.

Ball State 4, Cincinnati 3

Ball State (5-6) 6, Cincinnati 4

The Cardinals picked up a big sweep on the road Saturday as it knocked off Cincinnati in both games of a doubleheader played in Conway, South Carolina. Colin Brockhouse got the win in game one, tossing four shutout innings of relief after starter Zach Plesac allowed three runs in five innings. First baseman Caleb Stayton homered for the second time this season for Ball State in the win. Brendan Burns got the win in game two, allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits and striking out eight in six innings of work. Second baseman Ryan Spaulding and designated hitter Jarett Rindfleisch each supplied three hit performances in game two. The Cardinals will face No. 18 Coastal Carolina Sunday at 3:00p.m.

Wofford 6, Ohio 3

Ohio (4-6) 16, Wofford 2

The Bobcats split a doubleheader with Wofford on Sunday, saving all of its offense for the nightcap. Gerry Salisbury struggled with control once again in game one, walking four in the first inning and failing to record more than two outs, taking the loss. Center fielder began a productive day at the plate with a 3-for-4 showing in game one with two RBI's. DeJesus collected three more hits and five more RBI's in the nightcap, while first baseman Rudy Rott followed close behind with four hits and three RBI's. Shortstop Tyler Finkler had a big night at the bottom of the order, finishing 5-for-6 with three runs scored. Jake Roehn picked up the win for Ohio with 2 2/3rd innings of scoreless relief. Ohio takes on Wofford again Sunday at 12:00p.m.

Duke 6, Toledo (1-8-1) 1

A monster fifth inning spelled doom for the Rockets on Saturday, as the Blue Devils sent home five runs off Ross Achter to jump ahead for good and run away with the series-clinching win. Toledo mustered just five hits in the loss, with only pinch hitter Jake Krupar's triple counting for extra bases. Caleb Schillace and Kevin Klein were both solid in relief for Toledo, combining for 3 1/3rd scoreless innings to try to give their offense a chance to mount a comeback. Toledo will face Duke again Sunday at 1:00p.m.

F/11: Arizona State 4, Eastern Michigan (4-7) 3

Davis Feldman looked stout on the mound for the Eagles Saturday, throwing 5 1/3rd innings and yielding just one run, unearned on four hits in a game his team would eventually drop in extras. Designated hitter Brennan Williams provided the most offense for Eastern Michigan, finishing 4-for-7 with a run driven in. Shortstop Marquise Gill went 2-for-6 out of the leadoff spot with an RBI of his own, while second baseman Max Schuemann went 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. Eastern Michigan will look to avoid the sweep in Tempe on Sunday, with first pitch set for 12:30p.m.