April 12, 2009
Box Score
OXFORD, Ohio--In the final game of a three-game weekend series, Miami University's baseball team fell to Central Michigan University, 9-4.
The RedHawks drop to 16-14 overall and 7-5 in the Mid-American Conference, while the Chippewas move to 15-19 overall and 5-7 in league action.
Central Michigan got out of the gates quickly, putting a run on the board in the top of the first inning when Billy Anderson scored on a fielder's choice to give the Chippewas a 1-0 lead. CMU added another run to its tally in the top of the third inning off a Matt Faiman RBI single that plated Anderson to up the Central Michigan lead to 2-0. In the fourth inning, CMU furthered its lead, scoring three runs to take a 5-0 advantage.
With two runners on base, sophomore shortstop Brad Gschwind belted a two-run single up the middle that plated senior catcher Eric Darlage and senior left fielder Chris Nadeau to pull within three of the Chippewas, 5-2.
CMU's Dale Cornstubble nailed a two-run home run over the left field fence to extend the Chippewa lead to 7-2. Central Michigan had bases loaded with two outs, but Kyle Donawerth was able to get Miami out of the inning without any additional damage by striking out a CMU batter. The Chippewas added runs in the top of the sixth and the eight innings to push their lead to 9-2.
Miami cut the margin to five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning when junior designated hitter Zak Hatfield scored on a fielder's choice and Darlage crossed home off a sophomore right fielder Adam Eaton RBI single through the right side.
Neither team scored in the ninth inning, however, and CMU came away with the 9-4 win.
Faiman led the Chippewas, going 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, while Anderson went 3-for-5 with three runs. Trent Howard earned the win on the mound for CMU, throwing 5.0 innings and giving up no earned runs. Harvey Martin earned the save for the Chippewas.
The RedHawks were led at the plate by Nadeau, who was 3-for-4 with a run.
Miami returns to action Tuesday and Wednesday this week when the RedHawks participate in the Joe Nuxhall Classic being hosted by Cincinnati. They will face Wright State on Tuesday at 3 p.m..
