First Inning Propels Western Michigan Past Baseball on Wednesday Night

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The University of Maine baseball team fell to Western Michigan 7-3 on Wednesday night in Port Charlotte, Fla. After allowing all seven runs in the first innings, the Black Bears held the Broncos scoreless the remainder of the game, but were unable to complete the comeback. 

Maine falls to 6-8 on the season with the loss, while Western Michigan improves to 3-10.

Western Michigan struck first with seven runs in the top of the first inning. Jared Kujawa walked and Andrew Sohn followed with a double. Both runners scored when Patrick Duncan doubled. Hunter Prince single to right field. Caleb Caton walked to load the bases. Kurt Hoekstra followed with a single to left field and Duncan scored. Prince scored when Brooks Beilke singled. Caton scored when Vinnie Booker grounded out to third base. Theo Piccirilli then singled to left center scoring both Hoekstra and Beilke. 

Maine chipped away at the lead a little at a time.  In the bottom of the second inning, Brian Doran (Ayr, Ontario) reached on a fielder's choice and scored when Jonathan Salcedo (Providence, R.I.) doubled. 

Maine added a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning. Sam Balzano (Portland, Maine) walked and then stole second base. He scored when Michael Fransoso (Portsmouth, N.H.) singled through the right side. Fransoso scored when Doran singled to left field. 

Scott Heath (Westbrook, Maine) got the start on the mound and allowed all seven runs. He falls to 0-2 on the season. Heath was replaced by Charlie Butler (Marlborough, Mass.) who scattered six hits over 5.2 innings. D.J. Voisine (Plainville, Conn.) went the final three innings and did not allow a run. 

Patrick Borlik went 5.2 innings for Western Michigan and allowed three runs on seven hits. He improves to 1-1 on the season. He was replaced by Pat Haynes who pitched the final 3.1 innings, allowing just one hit. 

Maine returns to action on Thursday, March 7 when it faces Georgetown in Port Charlotte, Fla. First pitch is scheduled for 5 PM.