April 14, 2007
Box Score
DeKALB, Ill.--Miami University and Northern Illinois University each scored three runs in the sixth inning, but a Huskie run in the bottom of the second inning proved to be the difference as the RedHawk baseball team was edged by NIU on Saturday afternoon, 4-3.
Miami moved to 18-11 on the season and 7-2 in Mid-American Conference action, while Northern Illinois upped its record to 19-11 overall and 8-3 in MAC play.
Although junior pitcher Connor Graham threw four hitless innings, Northern Illinois was able to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Scott Simon reached on a Miami throwing error, advanced to second on a walk and moved to third on a passed ball before a fielder's choice play allowed him to score.
The Huskies carried their lead into the top of the sixth inning before Miami tallied three runs to take a 3-1 lead. Senior centerfielder Brandon Hillier led off the top of the sixth inning for the Red and White with a single to centerfield. A ground out allowed Hillier to move to third before a two-out, RBI single by sophomore leftfielder Chris Nadeau plated Hillier to even the score, 1-1.
Sophomore designated hitter Eric Darlage was walked to put runners on first and second for the RedHawks before respective RBI singles to right field by senior first baseman Jeff Carroll and junior third baseman J.D. Mynhier allowed Nadeau and Darlage to score and put the RedHawks up, 3-1.
NIU, however, came back in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring three runs to recapture a 4-3 lead, which it would not relinquish.
Six different RedHawks recorded hits throughout the game, but it was not enough as the Huskies went on to the 4-3 win. Sophomore shortstop Jordan Petraitis belted the lone extra-base hit of the game for either team, nailing a double in the fourth inning. Graham (3-2) gave up just three earned runs off five hits while striking out eight in 7.2 innings of work.
Miami and Northern Illinois round out the three-game series at 1 p.m. (CT) on Sunday, April 15.
