Western Michigan claims 7-3 win over UNCG in baseball action

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Western Michigan starting pitcher Ethan Hollingsworth allowed one earned run on five hits as the UNC Greensboro baseball team lost a 7-3 decision to the Broncos Saturday afternoon at the University of North Florida’s Harmon Stadium. 

Western Michigan struck for the game’s first run in the bottom of the second as Joe McDonald led of the frame with a single to left and later came around to score on a double play groundout.  UNCG took a 2-1 lead after the top half of the third as Wes McCall led off with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by leftfielder Roly Gonzalez.  Second baseman Greg Feltes singled to left, moving McCall to third base who scored one batter later on a throwing error by WMU catcher Mark Abro. 

The Broncos quickly regained the lead as WMU plated three runs in the home half of the third to take a 4-2 lead.  Matt Bolton led off with a double to rightfield and came around to score on a single from Abro.  After a wild pitch moved Abro up 90 feet, Travis May drove him home with a single to rightfield.  Neal Miller produced the third run of the inning with an RBI single to right to score McDonald from third. 

UNCG cut the deficit to a single run as Feltes scored on a throwing error on the Bronco infield.  With two outs already recorded, Feltes drew a walk and reached second base on a single from centerfielder Jermaine Mitchell.  Guy Welsh, the Spartans’ leading hitter, reached base on a throwing error on WMU’s third baseman, allowing Feltes to score from second. 

After scoring another three runs in the bottom of the sixth, Western Michigan essentially put the game out of reach as the Spartans were unable to produce any real scoring opportunities in the final three innings.  During the sixth inning, the Broncos managed to score all three runs without the luxury of a hit, scoring runs on a hit batsman with the bases loaded, a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch.

Hollingsworth (2-0) picked up the win for the home Broncos after allowing three runs one five hits in seven innings on the hill. 

Ryan Clear (0-2) suffered the loss after allowing three runs on five hits two innings of work.  Greg Martin, Brandon Harvey, Patrick Currin and Greg Matson also saw work in relief for UNCG. 

Senior David Adams went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Spartans while five others recorded a hit.  UNCG finished the game with seven hits. 

UNCG returns to action Sunday afternoon when the Spartans take on Bethune-Cookman at 2 p.m. from Harmon Stadium.  The Spartans will be the designated visiting team for the contest.

AGATE:

Western Michigan 7, UNC Greensboro 3 (Mar 04, 2006 at Jacksonville, FL)
UNC Greensboro...... 002 010 000  -  3  7  1      (2-8)
Western Michigan.... 013 003 00X  -  7  8  3      (4-4)
Pitchers: UNC Greensboro - Ryan Clear; Greg Martin(3); Brandon Harvey(6); Patrick Currin(6);
Greg Matson(8). Western Michigan - HOLLINGSWORT; SCHLECKER(8).
Win-HOLLINGSWORT(2-0)  Loss-Ryan Clear(0-2)  T-2:40  A-227
Clear faced 2 batters in the 3rd.

- UNCG -