March 8, 2008
Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Miami University's baseball team lost a heartbreaker to the Samford Bulldogs in the opening game of a three-game set Saturday afternoon, 6-5. Miami (1-6) held a three-run lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, but a late Samford (4-5) rally gave the Bulldogs the first win in the series.
The RedHawks jumped on top in the third inning. Senior Evan Armitage led off the inning with a bunt single and moved to second base after freshman Jon Edgington singled to second base. The bases were then loaded after junior shortstop Jordan Petraitis was hit by a pitch. Junior Tommy Nurre hit a fly ball to center field, plating Armitage. Junior Chris Nadeau singled to the pitcher, loading the bases for the second time in the inning, and two batters later, a Samford balk brought in Edgington, giving Miami a 2-0 advantage.
Freshman Adam Eaton led off the fourth inning with a walk and then stole second base to place a runner in scoring position with nobody out. A Samford throwing error allowed Eaton to score easily from second, which increased Miami's lead to 3-0.
Samford got on the board in the fourth inning as two singles and a walk loaded the bases for the Bulldogs. A fielder's choice brought in a run, but a Miami error gave the Bulldogs another run and placed runners on first and second with one out. A double play ensued and Miami held a 3-2 lead after four innings.
Nurre walked to lead off the seventh inning and advanced to second a passed ball before moving up 90 feet after a fly ball by Nadeau advanced Nurre to third base with only one out. Junior Blake Chaffee singled to right field extending Miami's lead to 4-2. Chaffee stole second and moved up to third on a throwing error by the catcher, but back-to-back RedHawk strikeouts eliminated the scoring threat.
Miami tacked on one more run in the ninth as Petraitis walked, before going to second base on a double by Nurre. Nadeau hit a sacrifice fly that plated Petraitis and during the next at-bat, Nurre advanced to third on a wild pitch. However, the RedHawks could not bring home the run from third as a strike out and fly out sent the RedHawks into the bottom of the ninth inning with a three-run lead, 5-2.
Two walks, including a hit-by-pitch, preceded a fly out and Samford had runners on the corners with one out. A strikeout left the Bulldogs with runners on the corners and two outs, but the next four Bulldog batters reached base, including three singles, which brought in four Samford runs and the Bulldogs defeated Miami, 6-5.
Nurre, Nadeau and Chaffee had one RBI apiece, while Edgington led the RedHawks with two hits.
The RedHawks play a doubleheader against the Bulldogs tomorrow beginning at noon (CT). The second game is slated to begin at 4 p.m. (CT).
