April 13, 2008

Box Score

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - In a see-saw battle, Miami University's baseball team battled from behind to tie the game on three different occasions, but three RedHawk errors in the bottom of the eighth were too much to overcome as Miami fell to Central Michigan in the rubber match of a three-game series, 12-9, Sunday afternoon.

After two and a half scoreless innings, the Chippewas took a two-run lead in the third inning. Central Michigan's lead-off batter reached first base courtesy of a walk, before advancing to second base on a sacrifice bunt. A ground out to second base moved the runner to third base with two outs, but Tyler Stovall hit a home run over the center field wall to place the Chippewas ahead by a score of 2-0.

A two-out walk came back to hurt the RedHawks in the fourth inning. James Teas drew a two-out walk in the Chippewa and then scored on a double by Noah Lankford, allowing Central Michigan to take a 3-0 lead heading into the fifth inning.

Miami (9-23; 3-9 MAC) put its first run on the board in the eighth inning courtesy of two-out hits. Senior Evan Armitage drilled a two-out single into center field, bringing junior Jordan Petraitis to the plate. With a one ball, one strike count on Petraitis, Armitage took off for second and was credited with a stolen base, before advancing to third base as the catcher's throw skipped into centerfield on the pick off attempt. After Petraitis worked a full count, he looped a single into center to bring home Armitage and cut Miami's deficit to 3-1.

The RedHawks jumped in front scoring four runs in the sixth inning to take a 5-3 lead. After a ground out started things off, freshman Adam Eaton stepped to the plate. Eaton dragged a bunt to the right side resulting in a single and then the freshman went from first to third base on a single up the middle by junior Eric Darlage. A bloop single by junior Josh Hula plated Eaton and moved Darlage to third base, cutting Miami's deficit to 3-2. On a double steal attempt, Hula advanced to second base, but Darlage was thrown out at home, giving Miami two outs. Freshman Jon Edgington delivered a clutch two-out single to center field to bring home Hula, tying the game at 3-3. Armitage followed with a base on balls to put runners on first and second base for Petraitis. Petraitis gave Miami's first lead of the game as he doubled to the right field wall allowing Edgington to score from second and Armitage to score from first base, placing Miami ahead, 5-3.

Central Michigan (15-17; 5-6 MAC) responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to re-take a one-run lead, 6-5, but the RedHawks kept fighting as they tied it up in the seventh inning. Junior Tommy Nurre singled through the right side to start things off and he moved to second base on a single through the left side by junior J.D. Mynhier. A sacrifice bunt by Eaton moved both runners into scoring position and during the next at-bat, Darlage hit a high grounder to third base allowing Nurre to score and tie the game at 6-6.

Central Michigan re-established a one-run lead after scoring one run in the seventh inning, but once again, the RedHawks retaliated in the eighth inning as Armitage single handidly created the RedHawk run. Armitage blooped a one-out double into left-center field and three pitches into Petraitis' at-bat, Armitage went to third base on a delayed steal. As Armitage slid into third base, the throw by the pitcher went into left field allowing Armitage to cross the plate, making the score 7-7.

For the third consecutive inning, Central Michigan responded. Three Miami errors in the inning aided the Chippewa rally as Central Michigan crossed the plate five times to take a 12-7 lead. In the top of the ninth, Eaton reached on a lead-off single and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. After two strike outs, Edgington walked to place runners on first and second base. Armitage grounded out to the pitcher, but a wild throw scored Eaton and moved Edgington to third, keeping the inning alive. Petraitis kept the threat alive with a seeing-eye single through the right side, bringing home Edgington and cutting the deficit to three runs, 12-9. However, a diving catch by the Central Michigan third baseman ended the game, giving the Chippewas a 12-9 win.

Petraitis went 4-for-6 from the plate, driving in four runs to lead the RedHawks.

The RedHawks return home for a Tuesday contest with Purdue and a Wednesday game against Xavier. Both games are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.