BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (Interstat) — In a wild, high-scoring affair that defied pregame projections, the Central Michigan Chippewas outslugged the Bowling Green Falcons 21-13 on Sunday afternoon and evening at Warren E. Steller Field to claim the decisive game of their Mid-American Conference series.

The game, which featured 36 combined hits and saw the teams burn through 13 pitchers, was a stark contrast to the series’ first two low-scoring contests. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 6-3 Bowling Green victory, with the Falcons given a 56.3% probability to win based on ELO ratings. Instead, the Chippewas’ offense erupted for 22 hits.

Central Michigan (12-18, 3-3 MAC) built an early lead and then broke the game open with two massive innings late. The Chippewas led 8-0 before Bowling Green (12-16, 3-3) mounted a serious challenge, sending 13 batters to the plate in a six-run fifth inning to cut the deficit to 8-6. The Falcons later pulled within 10-9 in the sixth and 10-8 in the seventh on a solo homer by Zack Horky.

The most important sequence of the game came in the top of the eighth inning, with Central Michigan clinging to a 10-8 lead. The Chippewas responded by sending 15 batters to the plate and scoring nine runs to put the game out of reach. The inning was highlighted by two pivotal swings. First, center fielder Zach Knowlton launched a three-run homer, his second of the game, to extend the lead to 13-8. After the Falcons changed pitchers, first baseman Brady Krzciok capped the onslaught with a grand slam, a four-run blast to center field that made it 19-8.

Knowlton, the top star for Central Michigan, finished 3 for 6 with two home runs and five RBIs, breaking out of a recent slump. Krzciok went 3 for 6 with the grand slam and four RBIs. Third baseman Bryson Webb added four hits, including three doubles, and scored four runs, while right fielder Harrison Bowman drove in four runs.

Bowling Green was led by right fielder Pauly Mancino, who came off the bench to go 3 for 3 with a three-run homer in the ninth inning and four RBIs. Horky and catcher Andrew DiLodovico also homered for the Falcons, and Carter Mottice drove in two runs.

Despite the offensive fireworks, pitching was a struggle. Central Michigan starter Gavin Moczydlowsky was charged with six earned runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings. The Chippewas used five relievers to navigate the final 4 2/3 innings. Bowling Green used eight pitchers, with starter Jack Miller taking the loss after surrendering five runs in 3 2/3 innings.

The victory gave Central Michigan the series win after the teams split the first two games. The Chippewas look ahead to a home game against Milwaukee on Monday. Bowling Green will host Dayton on Tuesday.