EAST LANSING, Mich. (Interstat) — Michigan State defeated Western Michigan 8-3 on Wednesday afternoon, improving to 18-28 while the Broncos fell to 22-20.

Western Michigan struck first in the top of the second on Lucas Rick’s RBI single, taking a 3-0 lead. Michigan State answered with a run in the bottom half on a Seymour RBI single. The Spartans tied the game in the third on Bright’s groundout and Parker Picot’s solo homer. Michigan State took the lead for good in the fourth, scoring five runs aided by two errors. Nick Williams’ RBI double and Bright’s run-scoring single highlighted the inning. The Spartans added two in the fifth on Seymour’s RBI single and Broski’s sacrifice bunt. Rick homered in the sixth for Western Michigan’s final run.

Rick finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Ty Tomlinson tossed two scoreless innings with two strikeouts for the Broncos. For Michigan State, Brady Chambers allowed one earned run in 3 1/3 innings with two strikeouts to earn the win. Williams went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Picot also homered. Michigan State recorded 12 hits and two sacrifice hits; Western Michigan had 11 hits.