BGSU baseball again used late-game magic to defeat Central Michigan on the road on Sunday afternoon, winning 6-5 in 10 innings.
The win marked the first time the Falcons swept the Chippewas in back-to-back series for the first time since the 1994 and 1997 seasons.
The victory also marked the Orange and Brown’s first sweep over Central Michigan at Mount Pleasant in program history.
Senior right-handed pitcher Connar Penrod earned the save for Bowling Green in all three wins over CMU. His eight saves this season are tied for the most in a single season in BG history, while his nine career saves are tied for the ninth-most in program history.
Central Michigan’s offense started hot, as the Chippewas jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning. CMU hit four doubles in the inning off BGSU’s starter, Landon Willeman, three of which drove in a run.
Willeman ended the day without a decision, allowing four runs, four hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out four batters across 82 pitches.
BG slowly cut away at the deficit, scoring two runs over the next four innings. Senior outfielder Caden Parker drove in junior infielder Sam Seidel with a single in the fourth inning before junior two-way player DJ Newman drove in sophomore outfielder TJ Takats with a single in the sixth inning.
CMU’s starter, redshirt sophomore right-hander Jared Hanson, was dazzling, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out three in six innings.
Central Michigan scored their final run of the game off redshirt freshman right-hander Nate Kress in the seventh inning.
After that, BGSU’s bullpen was dominant. Redshirt freshman left-hander Titus Lotz, sophomore right-hander Owen Poole and Penrod combined for three scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and not walking a batter.
The Falcons offense exploded in the eighth inning, scoring three runs in the eighth inning to tie the game 5-5.
Sophomore catcher/outfielder Garrett Wright drove in senior infielder Gunner Antillon with a single before Seidel drove in two runs with a single in a two-strike count.
Seidel finished the job in the top of the 10th inning, driving in Wright on a sacrifice fly to center field. He finished the day 3-4 with three runs batted in (RBI) and two stolen bases, securing his second game-winning hit of the season.
Central Michigan freshman right-hander Cayden Smith took the loss, allowing two runs in three innings.
Next, the Falcons will head to East Lansing on Wednesday to battle Central Michigan in a non-conference battle against Michigan State. Falcon Media Sports Network’s Tyler Kavalecz and Chas McNeil will have the call on Falcon Radio, beginning at 3:45 for pregame and 4:05 for first pitch.
