Miami University
Illinois State
RedHawks Win Big Over Illinois State
3/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 16, 2005
BRADENTON, Fla.. - The Miami University RedHawks (5-7) scored early and often on Wednesday afternoon as they pounded out 13 hits on their way to a 14-2 victory over the Redbirds of Illinois State University (6-9). The 14 runs were the most for the RedHawks since plating 14 on May 23, 2005 in a 14-10 win over Kent State. Five Miami players had two-hit games, while sophomore Ryne Robinson (Toledo, Ohio) tied a career high with three runs batted in.
The RedHawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the top of the first inning as both Robinson and John Slone (Cincinnati, Ohio) reached base to start the inning. Robinson scored from third on a throwing error by the Illinois State pitcher while junior Geoff Orr (Orland Park, Ill.) plated Slone with an RBI groundout to shortstop.
Illinois State cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning on the strength of two hits and a stolen base off freshman lefthander Matt Erwood (Atlanta, Ga.), making his first collegiate start after appearing four times out of the bullpen.
The Redbirds tied it up in the bottom of the second after they strung together a pair of hits to start the inning, including a lead-off triple.
Miami didn't waste any time regaining the lead as Orr and junior Paul Frietch (Cincinnati, Ohio) both drove in runs in the top half of the third. Orr drove in Robinson and came around to score on Frietch's single to right field after stealing second base.
The RedHawks took a five-run lead as they pushed across three more in the top of the fourth. Senior Tyler Tabler (Cincinnati, Ohio) led off the inning with a walk and scored from third base on a balk by Illinois State's Kitt Kopach. Ryne Robinson drove in the second run of the inning with a ground ball to the shortstop. Senior Brian Canada (Fishers, Ind.) made it 7-2 for Miami with an RBI single to right that scored Slone from second.
Frietch and junior Jon Franzese (Barrington, Ill.) both reached base to lead off the fifth for Miami and in the process chased Kopach from the game. Kopach gave way to Collin Korab after going 4.0 innings and was charged with nine runs on six hits. Kopach walked the first two batters he faced, forcing in a run and giving the RedHawks an 8-2 lead. Michael Moljewski (Shelby Twp., Mich.) made it 9-2 with an RBI single to right before Robinson's base hit down the right field line plated two more RedHawks. Moljewski scored from third on a groundout by Slone to make it 12-2 Miami after five-and-a-half innings.
Miami scored a pair of unearned runs in the top of the seventh to make it 14-2.
Senior Brad Bachman (Harrison, Ohio) relieved Erwood to start the bottom of the seventh and retired the side in order in both the seventh and eighth. Erwood went 6.0 innings to pick up the win. He gave up seven hits and struck out four to improve his record to 2-1 on the year.
Junior Matt Long (Granville, Ohio) made his first appearance since having elbow surgery and pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing just one hit, to seal the 14-2 victory.
Notes: FR LHP Matt Erwood made the first start of his collegiate career ... SO Ryne Robinson tied a career game high with two stolen bases ... SR Michael Moljewski set a career high with two hits in the game ... FR Zach Stead had his first collegiate at-bat, pinch hitting for Paul Frietch in the sixth inning ... SR David Franco tied a career high with two hits.
