Game Notes: Miami vs. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
3/26/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Miami (13-6) attempts to keep its hot streak alive as it battles the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (5-11) Sunday in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. This is the first meeting between the two schools. The RedHawks defeated Spalding University 16-2 on Saturday, while the Panthers rebounded against Middle Tennessee State to take the third game of the series 5-3. The Panthers game, which had rain delays totalling one hour 29 minutes, was called in the top of the ninth due to a tornado warning.
Miami, coached by Tracy Smith, is led by its second baseman, John Lackaff (Downers Grove, Ill./North), and centerfielder, Clark Mace (London, Ohio/Madison Plains).
Lackaff is the backbone of Miami's lineup thus far. Lackaff leads the team in batting avg. (.388), slugging pct. (.687), RBIs (24), total bases (46), hits (26), and home runs (5). He is tied for the lead in doubles (5) and on-base pct. (.442). Lackaff smashed four hits and knocked in all four runs in the RedHawks 4-1 victory over Xavier (March 22). In Miami's come-from-behind win over Iona (8-7, March 16), Lackaff went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and one run, including a two-run double in the eighth inning and a RBI-single in the ninth.
Mace, who had an 18-game hitting streak snapped against Detroit, leads the team in triples (3), walks (11), stolen bases (7) and total plate appearances (87). Mace is tied for first in on-base pct. (.442) and sacrifice flies (3), while being second in batting avg. (.357), slugging pct. (.614), runs scored (19), total bases (43) and home runs (3). He is currently fourth on the Hawks career list in batting avg. (.360) and has recorded eight multiple-hit games this season.
In the Panthers series-ending victory against the Blue Raiders, senior Andy Neary picked up the victory on the mound scattering eight hits and giving up three runs in eight innings of work. UWM scored all of its runs in the fifth frame as Darrin Haugom hit a two-run double and Matt Houk and Brett Huebner added RBIs.
The Panthers are coached by Jerry Augustine. He owns a 141-135-1 overall record in five years at UWM. Last season, Augustine, who was named WBCA Co-Coach of the Year, guided the Panthers to the NCAA Regionals for the first time in school history. After capturing the Midwestern Collegiate Conference Tournament Championship, UWM defeated No. 1 Rice in the Regionals.
MIAMI VS. SPALDING RECAP
Miami University's baseball team won its fourth straight game as it defeated Spalding 16-2 at Stanley G. McKie Field. The RedHawks (13-6) have won 10 out of their past 11 games, while the Pelicans dropped to 9-20 overall.
Miami, which scored at least one run in every inning except the seventh, plated four runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back. Junior Tom Yost (London, Ohio/Jonathan Alder) raised his batting average to .315 as he went 3-for-3 with with four runs and one RBI. Freshman Andi Scheidt (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle) also collected three hits and drove in two runs while scoring twice.
Four RedHawks tallied two hits apiece, including senior Bobby Barnes (Sarasota, Fla./Sarasota), juniors John Lackaff (Downers Grove, Ill./North) and Jeremy Ison (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson), and sophomore Dustin Treftz (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mariemont). Lackaff is now batting a team-leading .388 for the season.
Freshman Adam Keel (Fairfield, Ohio/Fairfield) picked up his second win of the year working four innings, giving up three hits and one run, which was unearned.
MIAMI VS. XAVIER RECAP
The RedHawks notched its third win in a row as it defeated Xavier 4-1. The win marked the Hawks ninth win in its last ten outings and fourth consecutive win over the Musketeers (5-15).
Junior pitcher Matt Allen (Carmel, Calif./Carmel) went the distance to pick up his second win on the year. Allen (2-1) worked nine innings, giving up six hits and one run, which was unearned, lowering his season ERA to a team-leading 1.80. Allen also struck out six Musketeers and did not walk a single batter.
Miami opened the scoring in the first inning as junior John Lackaff (Downers Grove, Ill./North) singled home senior Bobby Barnes (Sarasota, Fla./Sarasota). Lackaff tallied a season-high four hits in four at-bats, including an RBI-double, and drove in all four runs for the RedHawks.
After Xavier knotted the score at 1-1 in the second inning, Miami took the lead for good in the third on Lackaff's RBI-double, which scored junior Brady Nori (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown). Nori finished the day 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Junior Clark Mace (London, Ohio/Madison Plains) got back on track going 2-for-3 with one run scored.
Freshman Eric Greenwell collected two hits to lead Xavier. Senior James Siefker took the loss for the Musketeers working eight innings, surrendering nine hits and three runs.
MIAMI COACH TRACY SMITH
Head coach Tracy Smith is in his fourth season at Miami. Since returning to his alma mater in 1996, Smith has a 107-87 (.552) overall record while leading the RedHawks to the Mid-American Conference championship game the past two seasons. He guided Miami to one of its best records in school history, a 34-27 overall mark in 1999. Smith also coached the RedHawks to 20 conference wins last season, tying the school record for conference wins in a season. The season included an impressive run in the MAC tournament in which the RedHawks knocked off nationally-ranked Ball State before reaching the finals.
Smith was a four-year letterwinner for the Red and White from 1985-1988 and captained his 1988 team to the third highest wins total in Miami history (37). Before returning to Miami, Smith spent time as a player in the Chicago Cubs organization for three seasons. He then turned to coaching and spent seasons at Miami-Middletown, Miami and Indiana. Smith picked up his 100th career victory on March 14th in Miami's 9-0 win over Hartford.
LOOKING AHEAD: Miami travels to Xavier on Tuesday. The RedHawks defeated the Musketeers 4-1 last Wednesday in Oxford.
MACE IS THE ACE: Coming into the 2000 campaign, junior Clark Mace (London, Ohio/Madison Plains) was billed as the RedHawks' leader. So far, he has not disappointed anyone.
Mace, who had an 18-game hitting streak snapped against Detroit, leads the team in triples (3), walks (11), stolen bases (7) and total plate appearances (87). Mace is tied for first in on-base pct. (.442) and sacrifice flies (3), while being second in batting avg. (.357), slugging pct. (.614), runs scored (19), total bases (43) and home runs (3). He is currently fourth on the Hawks career list in batting avg. (.360) and has recorded eight multiple-hit games this season.
In Miami's two wins over IUPU-Fort Wayne and Dayton to open the 2000 season, Mace went 4-for-7 with two home runs, three runs, three RBIs and three walks. He was 4-for-8 in Miami's loss to Kentucky (March 7) and win over Dayton (March 8), scoring four runs while driving in another.
Named to the all-MAC second team and MAC all-tournament team as a centerfielder in 1999, Mace established Miami single-season records for hits (83) and at-bats (224). He also turned in the second-highest Miami single-season runs total with 52 and is on pace to overtake the Miami career hits record. In last season's MAC tournament, he hit .533 (8-for-15) and scored a team-high six runs, leading Miami to the championship game for the second straight year.
Mace is on pace to break into the Top 10 in several categories on Miami's all-time list. He ranks eighth in stolen bases, ninth in runs and hits, and is within range of career at-bats, RBIs, total bases, and doubles.
TERMI-NATE-R: When the opposition sees junior hurler Nate Tekavec (Concord, Ohio/Riverside) take the mound, they know it is going to be a long afternoon.
Tekavec's most recent outing came in Miami's 7-3 win over Butler on March 21. He pitched his third consecutive complete game, giving up six hits and three runs, one of which was unearned, striking out eight Bulldogs and walking two. The win was Tekavec's third on the year, which moved him into ninth on Miami's career pitching list for wins (21).
On March 5 versus Arkansas, Tekavec, who took the loss, worked 7 1/3 innings and gave up five runs, three of which were earned, 10 hits and struck out two Razorbacks. Through the first seven innings, Tekavec surrendered only two runs to a team that had scored 36 runs in the previous 18 innings. Out of the 10 hits, only one went for an extra-bast hit.
Versus nationally-ranked Florida Atlantic on March 15, Tekavec led the Hawks on the mound, picking up his second victory of the season. He pitched a complete game, giving up six hits and one run, which was unearned, striking out 10 Owl batters and walking zero.
Tekavec (3-2) currently has an ERA of 2.52, which is over two runs less than last season's total. He leads the Hawks in innings pitched (39.1), SOs (34), games started (5) and complete games (3).
Last season, Tekavec led the RedHawks in wins (9), appearances (21), innings pitched (101.2) and strikeouts (88). Tekavec, who is currently ninth with 21 career victories, is on pace to break Miami's career record for wins (30).
lACKAFF LIGHTING IT UP: Miami's infield is centered around junior second baseman John Lackaff (Downers Grove, Ill./North).
Lackaff leads the team in batting avg. (.388), slugging pct. (.687), RBIs (24), total bases (46), hits (26), and home runs (5). He is tied for the lead in doubles (5) and on-base pct. (.442). Lackaff smashed four hits and knocked in all four runs in the RedHawks 4-1 victory over Xavier (March 22). In Miami's come-from-behind win over Iona (8-7, March 16), Lackaff went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and one run, including a two-run double in the eighth inning and a RBI-single in the ninth.
Defensively, Lackaff has committed only one error, which was an overthrow against Xavier (March 22). He has 32 putouts and 64 assists for a .990 fielding pct.
In 1999, Lackaff posted impressive offensive numbers as he was fourth on the team in doubles (11) and stolen bases (6), and he finished among the team leaders in at-bats, RBIs and hits while starting 60 of 61 games.
ISON ON TOP: Junior Jeremy Ison (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) is once again the RedHawks' workhorse shortstop. Ison, who has started every game this year, has been on a tear for the Hawks raising his batting average to .324.
In Miami's past seven games, Ison has punished the opposition. Having five multiple-hit games out of the seven outings, Ison went 11-for-24 (.458) with nine RBIs and nine runs. In Miami's 20-9 romp against Dayton (March 8), Ison erupted for four hits and a career-high six RBIs.
Starting 60 of 61 games in 1999, Ison was named to the all-MAC tournament team after he went 5-for-11, with a team-high seven RBIs and four runs over five games. In Game Four, he accounted for an RBI-single and RBI-double in Miami's 12-2 victory over Bowling Green.
NO NEED FOR ASPIRIN: Nicknamed "Extra Strength", sophomore Russ Bayer (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) has caused many headaches to opposing batters this season.
Bayer, who hasn't given up a run in his last two outings, was nearly unstoppable last week for the Red and White. In Miami's 9-0 victory over Hartford, Bayer worked six innings, giving up only three hits, no runs and striking out five batters en route to his third victory of the year. He followed that performance with a one-hit shutout on Saturday as Miami defeated Detroit 11-0. Bayer gave up a single in the third inning, which proved to be the only hit the Titans would get off of him. He struck out four batters to capture his fourth win in the complete game.
Holding a 3.13 ERA, Bayer is fourth on the team in that category and is third on the team in strikeouts (16) and innings pitched (23.0).
Bayer carried the RedHawks into the 1999 MAC championship game. Bayer picked up the victory versus Kent on May 21, working five innings and striking out five Golden Flashes. This season is no different.
In 1999, Bayer's eight wins and 11 games started both ranked second on the squad. Against Virginia Tech on March 9, 1999, he pitched eight and two-thirds scoreless innings, rendering only six hits and two walks while striking out four batters, all of which he accomplished on a fractured foot. This season, Bayer serves as the RedHawks' number-two starter and the only left-handed started for the Red and White.
BARNES' STORMER: Senior right fielder Bobby Barnes (Sarasota, Fla./Sarasota) has come alive as of late. Since missing the first four games of the season with a wrist injury, Barnes had stepped in and filled the role of Miami's lead-off position. Barnes has upped his average to .321, good enough for fourth on the team. He has already put together an eight-game hitting streak, which was snapped in Miami's 8-7 win over Iona, and has hit safely in 12 of the 15 games thus far. In the past 14 games, Barnes is hitting .346. He has been hit a team-high four times and is third on the team in on-base percentage (.418). Barnes has not committed an error yet this season (28 putouts).
WELCOME TO MIAMI: Junior transfer Matt Allen (Carmel, Calif./Carmel) has proven to be just the man head coach Tracy Smith was looking for. Allen (2-1), who transferred this season from Cuesta Community College in California, has planted himself among Miami's stellar pitching rotation.
So far this season, Allen is leading the RedHawks in ERA with a 1.80 mark. In his past three outings, Allen has not allowed an earned run and has struck out seven batters. In his most recent gem, Allen pitched a complete game as Miami defeated Xavier 4-1. He gave up one run, which was unearned, and six hits while striking out six Musketeers and not walking a single batter.
Not only is Allen third on the team in wins (2), he is leading in saves (2) and second in innings pitched (25.0).
UP FOR THE CHALLENGE: Helping Miami ready itself for the stiff competition in the Mid-American Conference, head coach Tracy Smith has scheduled a tough non-conference slate of games that features opponents from many conferences such as the SEC, Big East, Big Ten and Atlantic 10. The RedHawks' opponents also include teams that are either ranked or receiving votes in national polls.
Kentucky (L, 9-3, March 7 in Lexington, Ky.) is ranked #28 in the Collegiate Baseball Rankings and received 100 votes in the USA Today Baseball Weekly/ESPN Coaches' Top 25 Poll. Florida Atlantic (W, 5-1, March 15 in Boca Raton, Fla.) received 30 votes in the USA Today Baseball Weekly/ESPN Coaches' Top 25 Poll. Central Michigan (April 8 in Mount Pleasant, Mich.) received one vote in the USA Today Baseball Weekly/ESPN Coaches' Top 25 Poll. Miami defeated Rutgers 6-4 (March 16) and lost to Arkansas (15-5, 5-1, March 3-5), which were both receiving votes in earlier polls.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME:Last season, the RedHawks enjoyed the atmosphere of Stanley G. McKie Field and hated the thoughts of playing on the road. The Red and White posted an impressive 22-6 record at home, while dropping 21-of-33 away games, including neutral-site games (6-4). This season, the RedHawks are 6-1 at home and host 26 games while traveling for 31 games.
JOHN HANCOCK PLEASE: The RedHawks first recruiting class of the 21st century is very small in numbers (3), but in terms of talent, Miami's class ranks with the best in the MAC. The three recruits include: Justin Farina, a 6'5" left-handed pitcher/first baseman from Ontario, Canada; Jason Knoedler, a 6'1", outfielder from Springfield, Ill.; and Jason's twin-brother Justin Knoedler, a 6'1" catcher, who is also from Springfield, Ill. Farina was one of only 24 players selected to compete at the World Youth Baseball Championships in Edmonton, Alberta in August. Jason, who is in his second year at Lincoln Land Community College, will bring tremendous speed to Miami as he was clocked at 6.6 in the 60-yard dash. Justin, voted the Central State 8 Player of the Year his senior year of high school, hit 15 HRs and knocked in 61 RBIs his first season at LLCC.
AND THE WINNER IS...: Miami's baseball team was tabbed to finish first in the Mid-American Conference East Division announced Feb. 10 by the MAC office. Voting was conducted by the MAC coaches.
Despite receiving fewer first-place votes, the RedHawks edged out Bowling Green, who won last year's MAC Championship, by one point, 63-62. Miami returns seven starters and five pitchers from last year's team that tied a school record with 20 conference wins.
SMITH RE-TOOLS COACHING STAFF: Head coach Tracy Smith has a whole new coaching staff this year with the departure of last year's assistants Don Carson, Tom Kinkelaar and John Sullivan. Dan Simonds, Ty Neal and Dave Hyatt are the assistants for the 2000 squad.
Simonds, a former professional baseball player in the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs organizations, brings extensive playing and coaching experience to the RedHawks. He was an eighth-round draft pick in 1987 by the Orioles and was acquired by the Cubs as a free agent three years later. Simonds spent the past four years in the San Diego Padres organization, managing the Class A Fort Wayne Wizards and Clinton Lumber Kings.
Neal continues his involvement with Miami entering his first season as an assistant coach. A four-year letterwinner for the RedHawks (1996-99), Neal led Miami with eight complete games in 1999 and tallied a 5-6 record. He had a career record of 19-14 and his 231 career innings pitched ranks 10th on Miami's all-time list.
Hyatt joins the RedHawk staff as a volunteer assistant coach. Following his coaching stint at Western Carolina University and Lincoln Memorial University, Hyatt became the head coach at Talawanda High School in Oxford and guided the Braves to the Mid-Miami League championship. He was also named the MML Coach of the Year for his efforts.
TEKAVEC HONORED BY MAC: Junior Nate Tekavec (Concord, Ohio/Riverside) was named Mid-American Conference Scholar Athlete of the Week for the week of March 20. Tekavec holds a 3.29 grade point average while majoring in athletic training.
Tekavec earned the honor after pitching a complete game as Miami upset then-No. 25 Florida Atlantic on March 15 in Boca Raton, Fla., giving the Hawks a perfect 5-0 record on their Spring Break trip. He pitched nine innings, giving up six hits and one run, which was unearned, and struck out 10 batters, while not walking a single batter.
SO CLOSE, YET SO FAR AWAY: Last year's loss in the MAC Championship game marked the second time in as many years that the RedHawks fell victim to the Bowling Green Falcons in the season's last game. In 1998, Miami dropped two games on the last day of the season to the Falcons and fell short of reaching the NCAA Tournament losing 7-6. Last year, after defeating Bowling Green in Game Four of the tournament, the Hawks came up one run short again, falling in eight innings 5-4.
2000 MIAMI BASEBALL CAREER RECORDS WATCH
Clark Mace Batting Avg.:Has .360 (currently fourth on all-time list) At-Bats:Has 503 (needs 33 to break into Top 10) RBIs:Has 87 (needs 15 to break into Top 10) Total Bases:Has 250 (needs two to break into Top 10) Hits:Has 181 (currently 9th on all-time list) Runs:Has 122 (currently 9th on all-time list) Doubles:Has 25 (needs six to break into Top 10) Stolen Bases:Has 44 (currently 8th on all-time list)
Nathan Tekavec Games:Has 44 (needs 15 to break into Top 10) IP:Has 215 (needs 16 to break into Top 10) Wins:Has 21 (currently 9th on all-time list) Losses:Has 13 (needs four to break into Top 10) Strikeouts:Has 174 (needs one to break into Top 10)
John Lackaff HRs:Has 17 (needs one to break into Top 10) Doubles:Has 27 (needs four to break into Top 10) Runs:Has 96 (needs 22 to break into Top 10)
Jeremy Ison SOs:Has 97 (currently 4th on all-time list)
Season Game Highs for Miami University(as of Mar 25, 2000)(All games)TEAM GAME HIGHSBattingAt bats: 47 - vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000)Runs scored: 20 - vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000)Hits: 24 - vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000)RBIs: 19 - vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000)Doubles: 5 - vs IUPU-Fort Wayne (Feb 29, 2000)Triples: 2 - vs Louisville (Mar 12, 2000) 2 - vs Iona (Mar 13, 2000) 2 - vs Hartford (Mar 14, 2000)Home runs: 5 - vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000)Total bases: 42 - vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000)Walks: 7 - vs Dayton (Mar 1, 2000) 7 - vs Kentucky (Mar 7, 2000) 7 - vs Hartford (Mar 14, 2000)Strikeouts: 10 - vs Florida Atlantic (Mar 15, 2000)Sac hits: 2 - vs Louisville (Mar 12, 2000)Sac flies: 3 - vs Spalding (Mar 25, 2000)Stolen bases: 10 - vs Hartford (Mar 14, 2000)Hit by pitch: 3 - vs Spalding (Mar 25, 2000)Caught stealing: 3 - vs Butler (Mar 21, 2000)Runners LOB: 13 - vs Hartford (Mar 14, 2000)Hit into DP: 3 - vs Xavier (Mar 22, 2000)
FieldingPutouts: 27 - 11 different timesAssists: 18 - vs Iona (Mar 16, 2000)Errors: 4 - vs Kentucky (Mar 7, 2000) 4 - vs Iona (Mar 16, 2000)Passed balls: 2 - vs Arkansas (Mar 4, 2000)DPs turned: 3 - vs Louisville (Mar 12, 2000)
PitchingInnings pitched: 9.0 - 11 different timesRuns allowed: 15 - vs Arkansas (Mar 4, 2000)Earned runs: 11 - vs Arkansas (Mar 4, 2000)Walks allowed: 7 - vs Arkansas (Mar 4, 2000)Strikeouts: 11 - vs Iona (Mar 16, 2000)Hits allowed: 15 - vs Arkansas (Mar 4, 2000)Wild pitches: 2 - vs Louisville (Mar 10, 2000) 2 - vs Detroit (Mar 18, 2000)Hit batters: 4 - vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000)
Season Game Highs for Miami University (as of Mar 25, 2000)(All games)INDIVIDUAL GAME HIGHSBattingAt bats: 6 - Jeremy Ison vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000) 6 - John Lackaff vs Hartford (Mar 14, 2000)Runs scored: 4 - Clark Mace vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000) 4 - Tom Yost vs Spalding (Mar 25, 2000)Hits: 4 - Jeremy Ison vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000) 4 - John Lackaff vs Xavier (Mar 22, 2000)RBIs: 6 - Jeremy Ison vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000)Doubles: 2 - Luke Reinhart vs Harford (Mar 14, 2000) 2 - Dustin Treftz vs Spalding (Mar 25, 2000)Home runs: 2 - Jeremy Ison vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000) 2 - John Lackaff vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000)Total bases: 10 - Jeremy Ison vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000)Walks: 2 - 10 different timesStrikeouts: 3 - Luke Reinhart vs Dayton (Mar 1, 2000) 3 - George Stegmiller vs Iona (Mar13, 2000) 3 - Luke Reinhart vs Florida Atlantic (Mar 15, 2000)Sac flies: 2 - Joe Spain vs IUPU-Fort Wayne (Feb 29, 2000)Hit by pitch: 2 - Luke Reinhart vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000)Caught stealing: 2 Bobby Barnes vs Butler (Mar 21, 2000)Runners LOB: 6 - Joe Spain vs Dayton (Mar 1, 2000)
FieldingPutouts: 14 - Joe Spain vs Arkansas (Mar 5, 2000)Assists: 8 - John Lackaff vs Arkansas (Mar 5, 2000)Errors: 2 - Jeremy Ison vs Arkansas (Mar 5, 2000) 2 - Jeremy Ison vs Kentucky (Mar 7, 2000) 2 - Andi Scheidt vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000) 2 - Zach Schmidt vs Hartford (Mar 14, 2000) 2 - Jeremy Ison vs Hartford (Mar 14, 2000) 2 - Jeremy Ison vs Butler (Mar 21, 2000)
PitchingInnings pitched: 9.0 - Nathan Tekavec vs FAU (Mar 15, 2000) 9.0 - Nathan Tekavec vs Butler (Mar 21, 2000) 9.0 - Matt Allen vs Xavier (Mar 22, 2000)Strikeouts: 10 - Billy Kieninger vs Iona (Mar 14, 2000) 10 - Nathan Tekavec vs FAU (Mar 15, 2000)Wild pitches: 2 - Nathan Tekavec vs Louisville (Mar 10, 2000)Hit batters: 2 - Billy Kieninger vs Arkansas (Mar 4, 2000) 2 - Rusty Ventresca vs Dayton (Mar 8, 2000)
