AKRON, Ohio (Interstat) — Sam Carlisle pitched six hitless innings and the Western Michigan Broncos scored three runs in the ninth to defeat the Akron Zips 4-1 in Mid-American Conference play Saturday at InfoCision Stadium.

Carlisle allowed one unearned run with four strikeouts. Akron’s Elijah Griffith countered with seven scoreless frames, but the Broncos broke through late. Tanner Mally went 4 for 4, driving in a run during the decisive ninth-inning rally that included RBI singles from Nolan Zajac and Drew Howard. Adam Lehmann earned a two-inning save.

Western Michigan improved to 6-7. Akron fell to 6-9 before an announced crowd of 103. The teams conclude their series Sunday.