Massachusetts Baseball Edged By Western Michigan, 3-2, In Game Two

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
UMASS	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	3	1
Western Michigan	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	X	3	3	1

UMASS

Western Michigan

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - University of Massachusetts baseball fell, 3-2, in game two to Western Michigan at Hyames Field on Saturday afternoon.

UMass moved to 5-13 overall on the season and 1-10 in the Mid-American Conference, while Western Michigan improved to 12-12 overall and 8-3 in the MAC.

Gavin O'Brien, Reece McCarthy and Ryan Kolben all had one hit apiece, which included Kolben's second home run of the season and fourth of his career. Anthony Tirado and Kolben each tallied a run, with Kolben and Will Briggs posting an RBI.

Western Michigan broke through first after three scoreless innings. The Broncos took a 1-0 lead after scoring on a ground out to third.

Western Michigan pushed across two more runs in the sixth to extend its lead, 3-0.

UMass got on the board in the top of the eighth with a solo home run from Kolben to make it a 3-1 contest. A ground out to shortstop for Briggs allowed Tirado to cross the plate and close the Minutemen's gap to one run at 3-2.

The Broncos were able to maintain the lead through the final frame to win, 3-2.

Adam Merritt (0-3) took the loss for UMass after going 5.2 innings with three runs on as many hits, two walks and a career-high seven strikeouts.

Sam Carlisle (2-2) earned the win for Western Michigan, allowing only one hit, three walks and dealing 13 strikeouts through seven complete innings pitched. Adam Lehmann picked up his second save, giving up a hit and a walk with no strikeouts.

Massachusetts and Western Michigan set for the series finale on Sunday, March 29, at 11:05 a.m. at Robert J. Bobb Stadium.

Scoreboard