BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Central Michigan gave up seven unearned runs on five errors Saturday, falling to Bowling Green, 12-8.
The Falcons (9-17, 1-4 MAC) scored seven runs in the first and added two more in the second as the Chippewas (12-15, 3-2 MAC) found themselves in an early hole, 9-0.
The Chippewas began to battle back in the top of the third when junior Jordan Dean singled and senior Tyler Hall doubled with one out to start a three-run frame. After a walk to senior William Arnold loaded the bases, seniors Nate Theunissen and Sam Russell hit back-to-back singles to score Dean and Hall for CMU's first two runs of the game. A sacrifice fly by junior Reid Rooney scored Arnold one batter later and the Chippewas trailed by six, 9-3.
BGSU scored a run in the fourth and two more in the sixth to extend itslead back to nine, 12-3, before CMU put together another big inning in attempt of a comeback.
Redshirt freshman Nick Regnier, Dean and Hall each reached base safely to start the seventh before Arnold hit a two-RBI single to right field to cut CMU's deficit to seven, 12-5. A walk to Theunissen loaded the bases and another walk to pinch hitter junior Jordan Adams scored Hall before junior Randon Henika singled to score Arnold making the score 12-7.
Freshman Joey Houlihan then pinch hit for senior Eric Wrozek and hit a sacrifice fly to left field to plate Theunissen, but Regnier flew out to center field to end the inning.
Sophomore Kenton San Miguel and junior Pat Kaminska came out of the bullpen and held the Falcons scoreless over their final two innings to keep the Chippewas' hopes alive. They were unable to erase the four-run deficit, however, stranding runners in eighth and ninth and finishing the game having left 11 on base.
Junior Rick Dodridge (1-4) suffered the loss despite giving up just three earned runs. The lefty pitched four innings and gave up 10 runs total, striking out three and walking one in the losing effort.
Dean finished the game with his 16th multi-hit performance of the season, going 3-for-5 with a pair of runs while Hall went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs.
The Chippewas will look to clinch the series tomorrow afternoon when senior lefty Ryan Longstreth takes the mound. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
