Miami University
Buffalo
RedHawks Drop Heartbreaker to Bulls, 9-8
4/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 18, 2008
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Miami University's baseball team fell to the Buffalo Bulls in the opener of a three-game series in Mid-American Conference action Friday afternoon as the Bulls rallied from a seven-run deficit to defeat the RedHawks, 9-8, in extra innings.
The RedHawks struck first in the second inning as three hits lifted Miami to a 1-0 lead. Junior Eric Darlage started the damage with a one-out single to left field, before moving to second base on a single to right field by freshman Adam Eaton. Darlage was eliminated on a fielder's choice, but runners remained on first and second base with two outs. Freshman John Hornke delivered an RBI single into right field that plated Eaton and gave Miami a 1-0 edge.
Just as Buffalo (9-23; 3-9 MAC) tied the game in the bottom of the third inning courtesy of a solo home run, the RedHawks responded with some two-out damage in the fourth inning to jump back on top, 2-1. After a ground out and a strike out, Hornke extended the inning with a two-out walk. A few pitches later, Hornke scored from first base on a double to left-center field by junior Blake Chaffee.
Miami's (11-24; 3-10 MAC) first three hitters all reached base as the RedHawks tacked on three more runs in the fifth inning to increase their margin to 5-1. Junior Jordan Petraitis was hit by a pitch to start things off and he moved up ninety feet on a passed ball. Junior Chris Nadeau drove in the first run of the inning when he singled through the left side, plating Petraitis from second base. Junior Tommy Nurre walked, which moved Nadeau to second base, but a 5-3 double play left Nurre on second base with two outs. Eaton drove in Nurre with a clutch single up the middle and heads-up base running by Eaton moved him into scoring position on second base. Eaton's heads-up base running paid off as a single down the left field line by junior J.D. Mynhier allowed Eaton to score Miami's fifth run of the day.
The RedHawks added insurance runs late to increase their lead to 8-1. Senior Evan Armitage reached base with a one-out bunt single and the bases were quickly loaded after Petraitis was hit by a pitch and Nadeau drew a walk. Nurre made the Bulls pay for the walks with a two-RBI double that increased Miami's cushion to 7-1. The RedHawks finished the scoring as Darlage hit a sacrifice fly to score Nadeau and move Miami's lead to seven runs, 8-1.
However, the Bulls scored three unearned runs in the eighth inning before scoring four runs in the ninth inning to send the game into extra innings.
After Miami was retired in the 10th inning, Buffalo's lead-off batter, Chris Ciesla, hit a solo home run, giving Buffalo a 9-8 come-from-behind win.
Senior pitcher Matt Erwood became the first Miami pitcher in almost a year to strike out 10 or more batters in a game as the southpaw pitched a career-high 7 2/3 innings, notched a career-best 10 strikeouts and gave up just one earned run. John Ely was the last RedHawk pitcher to strike out 10 or more batters in a game when he struck out 14 batters against Bowling Green on April 29, 2007.
Darlage, Eaton and Mynhier led Miami with two hits apiece, while Nurre had a team-high two RBIs.
The RedHawks and Bulls continue the three-game series on Saturday, April 19. The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
