MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (Interstat) — Cole Prout went 4 for 5 with a triple, a double and three runs batted in to lead Central Michigan to a 12-11 victory over Akron on Sunday afternoon at Bill Theunissen Stadium, giving the Chippewas a series win in the Mid-American Conference matchup.

Central Michigan improved to 19-28 overall and 9-12 in conference play, while Akron dropped to 20-30 and 9-12. The Zips had taken the opener of the three-game series 12-10 on Saturday after Central Michigan won 3-0 on Friday.

The game featured six lead changes and a dramatic ninth-inning rally by Akron that fell short. The Chippewas outhit the Zips 18-9, with Prout leading an attack that produced four extra-base hits.

Akron struck first in the top of the first inning when catcher Phillips stole home after a double and a walk. The Zips carried a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the second before Central Michigan answered. Third baseman Bryson Webb singled home a run, and a bases-loaded walk to Keilen pushed the Chippewas ahead 3-1.

Akron tied the game in the third. After Phillips walked, Brody Chrisman doubled to score Phillips, and Prince DeBoskie doubled to bring home Chrisman, making it 3-3.

Central Michigan broke the game open in the fourth. After a single and a walk, Joey Milto crushed a three-run homer to right center, putting the Chippewas ahead 6-3. Prout followed with a two-run triple to right, and Webb singled home Prout for a 9-3 lead.

Akron chipped away. In the fifth, a fielder’s choice and a sacrifice fly cut the deficit to 9-5. Then in the sixth, the Zips tied the game. A groundout, a single and a double by Brady Bowen drove in four runs, knotting the score at 9-9.

The deadlock did not last. In the bottom of the sixth, Prout doubled to left center to score Loikits, giving Central Michigan a 10-9 lead.

After a scoreless seventh, the Chippewas added crucial insurance in the eighth. With runners on first and second, Webb sacrificed them into scoring position. Verburg singled to left center to score Fleaka, and Bowman singled to third base to bring home Prout, extending the lead to 12-9.

Akron refused to quit in the ninth. Pinch hitter Easton Amundson crushed a two-run homer to right field, cutting the margin to 12-11. But Jack Potteiger entered in relief for Central Michigan and retired the final two batters, stranding a runner at second to end the game.

Parker Munday pitched two scoreless innings in relief for Akron, striking out three without allowing a hit. Brady Bowen finished 2 for 4 with three RBIs for the Zips. Chrisman added two hits and two RBIs.

For Central Michigan, Milto went 2 for 6 with a home run and three RBIs. Webb collected three hits and two RBIs. Jared Hanson earned the win with 2 1/3 innings of relief, allowing two earned runs on two hits while striking out one.

The critical bottom of the eighth inning proved decisive. After Akron had fought back to tie the game and then stayed within one run, Central Michigan’s two-run rally provided the winning margin.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Akron 4, Central Michigan 3. Interstat’s ELO system gave Central Michigan a 62.70 percent probability to win.