March 26, 2010
Box Score
OXFORD, Ohio - Central Michigan pitcher Jesse Hernandez allowed just one hit in seven innings to the Miami University baseball team Friday night, helping the Chippewas top the RedHawks, 5-2, at McKie Field at Hayden Park in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams. Miami (9-11, 0-1 MAC) dropped its first league home opener in five years under head coach Dan Simonds, while CMU improved to 9-8 on the year and 1-0 in MAC play.
Hernandez (3-1) earned the win, allowing just two unearned runs on one infield single in seven innings of work while fanning eight and issuing four free passes. Miami junior starter Tyler Melling (Bellefontaine, Ohio) went 4.2 innings, also conceding two runs (one earned) on six hits with four strikeouts in a no decision, while junior reliever Sam Dawes (Cincinnati, Ohio) took the loss (0-1), allowing the go-ahead run to reach base on a hit-the only batter he faced.
Neither team produced much offense, with CMU out-hitting the 'Hawks 9-2, as just two of the combined seven runs scored were earned. Junior shortstop Ryan Kaup (Chandler, Ariz.) had both of Miami's hits, including a double, while catcher Dale Cornstubble and first baseman Nate Theunissen each had a pair of hits for the Chippewas.
Central Michigan threatened in the top of the third, loading the bases on three singles, but Melling struck out Cornstubble to keep the game scoreless. The RedHawks then broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third, as a throwing error by the CMU shortstop allowed Kaup and junior second baseman Jon Edgington (Cincinnati, Ohio) to trot home for a pair of unearned runs. The Chippewas evened the count at 2-2 in the fourth, however, on a two-RBI single through the right side by right fielder Matt Faiman.
CMU again filled the bags in the fifth, but sophomore hurler Matt Rosinski (University Heights, Ohio) entered in relief to record the third out and keep the game knotted at two. The game remained deadlocked until the top of the eighth when Theunissen led off with a single and was pinch run for by Ricky Clark, who moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a throwing error. Central Michigan pushed another run across in the inning thanks to two wild pitches to make it 4-2 and added another tally in the ninth.
Meanwhile, Chippewa reliever Trent Howard kept Miami off the board in the final two frames to earn his first save of 2010, despite issuing two walks in the eighth and allowing a double in the ninth, but the 'Hawks were unable to capitalize and CMU took the MAC opener, 5-2.
Due to impending rain on Sunday, the RedHawks and Chippewas will conclude their MAC-opening series Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. while the second game will begin at 6 p.m. The teams were originally slated to play the series finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. but that game has been cancelled. Saturday will also be Military Appreciation Day, as Miami will wear camouflage hats and 2010 honorary coach and former RedHawk George Stegmiller, a current U.S. Marine Captain, will throw out the first pitch before the 6 p.m. game.
--MURedHawks.com--
Notes: Junior catcher Adam Weisenburger recorded his first career stolen base in the sixth inning (he had just one attempt in his career previously) ââ'¬Â¦ Junior right fielder Adam Eaton moved into sole possession of 10th place on Miami's career stolen bases list after nabbing one Friday night, as he now has 48 career thefts ââ'¬Â¦ Miami is now 2-3 in MAC openers under head coach Dan Simonds and won just one of the first four MAC-opening series' under Simonds ââ'¬Â¦ With his appearance on the mound Friday, junior Sam Dawes moved into a tie for fifth all-time at Miami in career pitching appearances with Graham Taylor (2003-06) with 68.
