Broncos take MAC opener

By Scott Sierzenga
Western Herald

With a Goliath-like performance by Casey Webber, the University of Akron Zips (11-9, 0-1 Mid-American Conference) were left defenseless and befuddled as the Western Michigan University men’s baseball team went on to win the first game of their MAC season, 3-2.

Sophomore Casey Webber came out and pitched a gem, throwing seven shutout innings and allowing only four hits.

“It was awesome,” Bronco head coach Randy Ford said about Webbers effort. “He came back from mono and pitched in two games throwing only 100 pitches and came out and threw today. We were just trying to monitor how he felt.”

It wasn’t only his health that was changed, but his mindset as well.

“Last week I threw a lot of pitches and tried to strike guys out and my pitch count went up,” Webber said. “I thought about that during the week and today I was just trying to get guys out.”

After a disappointing start to their season, the Broncos needed a start like this to change the mentality of their team, both pitching and offensively.

“I think Casey’s [Webber] effort today showed that our pitchers have heart,” sophomore Ryan McMillin said. “The way he worked people, the way he held runners on was key for us.”

Keeping runners close and giving up free bases plagued WMU last weekend as they gave up 13 stolen bases. Webber saw fit to prevent that as the lefty picked two runners off and had their base runners on their heels for the rest of the game after that.

“It certainly set the tone,” Ford said. “Hopefully we can continue to stop the running game with our other guys. Today demonstrated how important it is to not give up the free 90 footers.”

Webber certainly appreciates his pick-off move.

“It’s nice to have it when the lead off guy gets on,” Webber said. “It’s a big relief.”

The Brown and Gold did all their damage at the plate in the first two innings, when they plated all three of their runs. A two out single in the first by Chris Lewis followed by a passed ball and a throwing error allowed Lewis to advance to third and gave Jamie Simpson the chance smack an RBI single.

With one out in the second, McMillin took an outside pitch to right field with a single. The Broncos rallied off three straight singles and loaded the bases for Kyle Galbraith who hit a deep sacrifice fly to centerfield to score the run. Freshman Jimmy Martinez then hit an RBI single to plate the third run of the game for Western Michigan.

McMillin finished the game 2-for-4 with a run as WMU strung together nine hits total on the day. Freshman Brooks Beilke was the only other Bronco with multiple hits, having two of his own.

The sense of urgency early in the game offensively set the tone for the rest of the game.

“I think Wednesday’s game was important to play at home and get a little confidence with the addition of our guys who haven’t gone on a trip and the guys who have and saw us struggle,” Ford said.

The Zips didn’t just roll over and die. Once Webber was removed, a weight was lifted off their chest and they were able to provide a little pressure in the eighth inning to the Broncos scoring a run and stranding two guys.

Mosher came in with one out in the eighth and runners on first and third and was able to get the first batter to ground into a double play to end the threat. Mosher gave up one run in the ninth but was able to hold off the Zips enroute to Western Michigan’s (4-15, 1-0) first MAC win of the season.

“It’s nice to start our especially with a win at home,” McMillin said. “Finding our comfort level and focus has been very important.”

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Posted by heraldstaff on Mar 26 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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