MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (Interstat) — The Milwaukee Panthers, defying pregame projections, erupted for a seven-run fourth inning and held off a late rally to defeat the Central Michigan Chippewas 9-6 in nonconference baseball Monday at Bill Theunissen Stadium.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded in the evening, saw the Panthers improve to 10-24 overall. The Chippewas fell to 12-20. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 4-3 Central Michigan victory, with its ELO system giving the Chippewas a 63.9% probability to win.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the top of the fourth inning. Milwaukee, leading 2-0, loaded the bases with one out against Central Michigan reliever Evan Tarnowski. After a pitching change and two strikeouts, the Panthers were down to their final out of the inning with the bases still full.

Designated hitter Dominic Kibler then delivered the decisive blow, launching a grand slam to right-center field off reliever Logan Campau to break the game open. The very next batter, center fielder Dylan O’Connell, followed with a solo home run to left-center, capping a seven-run outburst that gave Milwaukee a commanding 9-0 lead.

Kibler, the top star for Milwaukee, finished 2 for 4 with the grand slam and four RBIs, continuing a hot stretch at the plate. O’Connell went 2 for 4 with his homer and an RBI, and left fielder Bradyn Horn added two hits and two RBIs for the Panthers, who collected 11 hits total.

Central Michigan chipped away at the large deficit, scoring two unearned runs in the second inning on an RBI triple by Joey Milto and a run-scoring groundout from Spencer Verburg. The Chippewas added single runs in the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth innings but could not overcome the early hole.

Verburg led Central Michigan’s nine-hit attack, going 2 for 5 with a solo home run in the seventh and two RBIs. Milto also had two hits and an RBI.

Milwaukee’s bullpen was crucial in preserving the lead. After starter Aiden Fishnick allowed two unearned runs over two innings, Cullen Riel provided two perfect innings of relief with one strikeout. Tristan Arnold and Riley Golden combined for the final 2 1/3 innings, with Arnold allowing one run over 1 2/3 innings.

Central Michigan reliever Cameron Niehaus struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Panthers turned a season-high four double plays in the victory.

Milwaukee returns home to open a Horizon League series against Northern Kentucky on Friday. Central Michigan hosts Youngstown State on Wednesday before beginning a Mid-American Conference series with Ohio on Friday.