Bowling Green State University
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WESTERN MICHIGAN
Falcons Drop Extra-Inning Heartbreaker to WMU, 4-1
May 02, 2003 | Baseball
May 2, 2003
Bowling Green, Ohio - Western Michigan scored three runs in the top of the 11th inning to post a 4-1 victory over Bowling Green on Friday at Warren Steller Field. It was just the third extra-inning game of the year for BGSU and the longest of the season.
Falcon reliever Neil Schmitz retired the first two batters of the 11th inning before walking pinch-hitter Tony Scheffler and centerfielder Royce Dickerson. Leadoff hitter Matt Bolton then tripled to left-center field to score the two go-ahead runs. Bolton then scored off of a bunt single by Mark Abro for the final run of the game.
WMU reliever J.R. Mathes (first save) retired the Falcons in order in the bottom of the 11th inning to preserve the win for the Broncos, 4-1.
The two starting pitchers were locked up in a dandy through nine-plus innings. The first run didn't cross the plate until the sixth inning when Chad Tarpley singled home Tom Fabrizio, who had led off the inning with a double, for a 1-0 Bronco lead.
BGSU tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning when with the bases loaded and two outs, WMU starter Brad Mumma threw a wild pitch behind batter Spencer Schmitz, which scored Kelly Hunt from third base. That would be all the scoring for the Falcons.
Mumma lasted eight and one-third innings, allowing just one run on eight hits with three walks and 12 strikeouts. BGSU starter Kyle Knoblauch pitched equally well, lasting nine and one-third innings, giving up one run on eight hits with just one walk and a season-high 11 strikeouts. Knoblauch's strikeout total was one off his career-high of 12 set on March 15, 2001 vs. CW-Post, and it was the longest outing of his career.
WMU pitcher Zach Straayer (2-2) picked up the win, pitching one and two-third innings. Neil Schmitz (0-5) suffered the loss, allowing three runs on three hits, three walks and no strikeouts in one and two-third innings.
BGSU stranded 13 runners while WMU left 11 on base. The Broncos had two double plays, including an inning-ending double play in the bottom of the ninth inning when freshman Nolan Reimold hit a line drive to the shortstop, who doubled up Jimmy Lipari at second base.
Reimold collected one of BGSU's nine hits, extending his hitting streak to eight games. Hunt (two singles) and Nate Henschen (single, double) both ended with two hits apiece for BGSU.
BGSU drops to 13-21 overall and 6-11 in the MAC, while WMU improves to 20-20 overall and 13-8 in the MAC. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, May 3, beginning at 1 p.m. at Warren Steller Field.
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