Baseball Drops Series Opener at Western Michigan

Thursday, May 18

Kalamazoo, Mich.

3:05 p.m.

Central Michigan University

32-20, 18-10

Western Michigan

20-28, 17-10

Central Michigan

Western Michigan

Danny Wuestenfeld hit his fifth home run of the season on Thursday in CMU's 11-6 loss at Western Michigan.

Photo by: Sydney Kline '26 - @sydney.kline.photography

5/18/2023 6:13:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

By: Andy Sneddon

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Central Michigan pitching surrendered 11 hits and the Chippewas stranded 13 baserunners on Thursday in falling to Western Michigan, 11-6, in the opener of a three-game Mid-American Conference series at the Broncos' Bobb Stadium.

The Chippewas slipped to 32-20, 18-10 MAC. Game 2 of the series is set for Friday (1:05 p.m.) and the finale is scheduled for Saturday (1:05 p.m.). The Broncos improved to 20-28, 17-10 and clinched a spot in the MAC Tournament.

The four-team tournament field is set with regular season champion Kent State hosting beginning on May 24. CMU, Western and Ball State round out the field. The Golden Flashes are the No. 1 seed; the remainder of the seeds will be determined by results of games played Friday and Saturday.

Western Michigan jumped on CMU starter Adam Mrakitsch (8-4) for four runs in the first inning and never trailed.

The Chippewas drew to 6-4 with a three-run fourth, but the Broncos scored twice in the fifth to make it 8-4 and then added three more runs in the seventh to increase their lead to 11-4.

Danny Wuestenfeld hit his fifth home run of the season for CMU, which collected 10 hits including a three by Ely Stuart. Christian Mitchelle added a two-run double for CMU, which went down in order in only one inning in the game (the ninth) and stranded eight runners in scoring position.

Mrakitsch allowed six runs on five hits over four innings in taking the loss. Ryan Insco, Ryan Cully and Nate Ross each pitched in relief for CMU.