Broncos rebound against Oakland University

By Scott Sierzenga
Western Herald

It is yet another case of the erratic Western Michigan University baseball team (5-18).

After losing to Davenport University on Monday, the Broncos redeemed themselves by picking up a much needed win against Oakland University (3-14) at home 5-4.

When Oakland scored in the top of the first inning, it looked like the Broncos were in for yet another disappointing day, but WMU showed their resiliency. Oakland scored a run in the fourth and the fifth to make the score 3-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth.

Starter Casey Hall went 4.2 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) and was relieved by Derek Mosher who threw 2.1 and came up huge in relief getting the last out in the fifth inning with two runners on base. Mosher just recently recovered from Tommy John surgery, but was able to throw longer than expected.

“My arm felt great,” Mosher said. “It’s getting noticeably stronger every day. I didn’t know how long I was going to go; I thought it might only be one inning.”

After a Grant Simotes single to left to start out the bottom of the fifth, senior Chris Lewis then singled again, putting runners at first and second to start the inning. A sac bunt advanced the runners and allowed an open base for Ryan McMillin to be walked, loading up the bases with one out.

Brad Wehrmeyer walked in a run to put the Broncos on the board and also kept the bases loaded. Zach Thoma then hit a deep sac fly to centerfield scoring Lewis and brought the Broncos within a run heading into the sixth inning.

Lewis finished the game going 4 for 5 scoring a run and driving one in. Wehrmeyer remained hot for the Broncos posting up another multiple hit game going 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI.

“He has done a real nice job,” head coach Randy Ford said. “At the beginning of the year him and Jamie [Simpson] were platooning. He’s a good athlete.”

Lewis tied the game at 3-3 in the sixth when he doubled home Simotes who walked.

Oakland recaptured the lead in the seventh, but it didn’t stick for long. Wehrmeyer started the two-run rally two take the final lead of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning singling to left field. A sac bunt, a walk, and a hit by pitch later; the bases were loaded once again. Senior Kyle Galbraith singled home the tying run, while the next batter, Simotes drove home the game-winning run on a sac fly.

Senior Tim Mowry picked up the two-inning save while Mosher picked up the win (1-0) for WMU. The Broncos finally outhit an opponent, 11-6, and played solid ball all afternoon.

“We got the talent,” Wehrmeyer said. “Everyone needs to sort of relax; it will all come with time.”

The Broncos take their inconsistent play to Kent State this weekend.

“I cant put my finger on it,” Ford said. “A sign of a good team is consistency and we can’t afford to be complacent and lazy.”

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Posted by heraldstaff on Mar 30 2010. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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