PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (Interstat) — The Western Michigan Broncos capitalized on a fast start and weathered a late Pittsburgh rally to even their season series with a 7-5 victory over the Panthers on Saturday at Charlotte Sports Park.

In a game that began in the afternoon and concluded under evening lights, the Broncos amassed 13 hits to Pittsburgh’s four but needed to stave off a three-run eighth inning by the Panthers to secure the win. The result left both teams with 1-1 records to open the 2026 campaign, a day after Pittsburgh dominated the opener 12-4.

The most critical phase of the game was its beginning, as Western Michigan immediately seized control. Facing Pittsburgh starter Spizzoucco in the top of the first inning, Drew Howard singled and Connor Ostrander walked to set the table. Lucas Rick then delivered the decisive early blow, lashing a double to left-center field to score both runners and give the Broncos a lead they would not relinquish.

Western Michigan extended its advantage through opportunistic play. They added a run in the sixth on a well-executed squeeze bunt single by Mason Pilarski that scored Michael Maloney. In the seventh, a wild pitch allowed Howard to score, and Maloney followed with an RBI single. The Broncos’ final run came in the eighth on a Pittsburgh throwing error, a pivotal tally given the events that followed.

Pittsburgh’s offense, stifled for much of the day by a parade of Western Michigan pitchers, finally broke through in the eighth inning against reliever Doran. Trailing 7-3, the Panthers loaded the bases with one out. An error by Broncos third baseman Pilarski on a ball hit by Wagner allowed one run to score. Doran then issued an intentional walk to reload the bases before walking Pisacreta to force in another run. Reliever Wizceb entered and induced a fielder’s choice to escape the jam, but the Panthers had closed the gap to 7-5.

The Broncos’ bullpen ultimately sealed the game. Wizceb worked a perfect ninth inning, retiring Baran, Cooke and Rick in order to end the game.

Western Michigan’s offensive effort was broad-based. Maloney led the way with three hits and an RBI, while Howard, Thielman, Pilarski and Mally each had two hits. Rick drove in two early runs. For Pittsburgh, Baran provided the primary offensive spark with a solo home run in the fourth inning and two walks, scoring twice.

The win was a statistical upset, as Interstat’s ELO system had given Pittsburgh a 69 percent probability to win.

The teams conclude their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at the same venue.