April 11, 2010

Box Score

OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami University baseball team grabbed an early lead but was unable to produce any more runs while Northern Illinois chipped away at the deficit and scored the game-winning run in the top of the ninth inning to steal a 5-4 victory in the series finale Sunday afternoon at McKie Field at Hayden Park. The RedHawks (14-16, 3-6 Mid-American Conference) still claimed the weekend series with the Huskies (11-19, 4-5 MAC), winning Friday and Saturday while limiting NIU to just two runs combined.

Miami opened the scoring with a two-out tally in the bottom of the first as junior second baseman Jon Edgington (Cincinnati, Ohio) walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch and was driven in by junior catcher Adam Weisenburger (Plymouth, Minn.) when he singled to left field. The 'Hawks loaded the bases after two more walks but were unable to do any more damage after a fly out ended the frame.

Another two-out rally in the second gave Miami a 4-0 lead as the 'Hawks collected four straight hits that resulted in a trio of runs. A single through the right side by Edgington plated junior right fielder Adam Eaton (Springfield, Ohio) while a double off the wall in left from Weisenburger sent Edgington and junior second baseman Brad Gschwind (Cincinnati, Ohio) across the plate.

The Huskies got one run back in the top of the fifth on an RBI groundout to third base by catcher Brett Frantini and made it a 4-2 game when center fielder Jordin Hood doubled and first baseman Joe Etcheverry followed with a single to right field. NIU had men on second and third later in the frame but junior reliever Sam Dawes (Cincinnati, Ohio) forced a flyout to end the threat. The Huskies again put runners on second and third with just one out in the seventh but senior reliever Kyle Donawerth (Cincinnati, Ohio) took the mound and kept NIU from doing any damage, as junior shortstop Ryan Kaup (Chandler, Ariz.) made a spectacular sliding catch in foul territory for out two and a pop out to center field ended the inning to keep Miami on top by two.

The 'Hawks looked to add to their lead in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bags with one out, but a strikeout and a dribbler to third base thwarted the threat. Northern Illinois then tied the game at four in the top of the eighth, as it loaded the bases with no outs and closed within one on a sac fly by designated hitter Brian Smith. A ground out then advance the runners to second and third with two outs and Weisenburger threw down to third base attempting to pick off pinch runner Tom Kotis, but the throw hit Kotis and ricocheted into the outfield, which allowed him to score the tying run before sophomore reliever/designated hitter Jordan Jankowski (McMurray, Pa.) struck out Frantini one pitch later to end the inning.

In the ninth, a leadoff walk and a double down the right-field line put Huskies on second and third with one out. Miami intentionally loaded the bases but a sac fly to right field by pinch hitter Joe Buonavolanto with a 2-2 count scored shortstop Alex Jones to put the Huskies ahead for the first time all game, 5-4. The RedHawks received a single in the bottom of the ninth with one out but reliever Andy Deain struck out Jankowski and freshman pinch hitter Kevin Bower (Indianapolis, Ind.) tagged the ball, but it didn't carry far enough, as the right fielder made the final out to give NIU the win.

Miami stranded 12 runners, including leaving the bags full twice, while committing two errors and out-hitting Northern Illinois 11-7. Three RedHawk relievers issued six free passes in just three innings of work to help the Huskies as well. Deain (2-1) earned the win for NIU, tossing the final two frames while allowing just a hit with no runs and three strikeouts. Jankowski (2-2) was saddled with the loss, also working the last two stanzas, allowing the go-ahead run on one hit with two walks and a punch-out. Freshman starter Mac Thoreson (Knoxville, Tenn.) had a strong outing despite receiving a no decision, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing just two runs on four hits, while retiring 11 consecutive Huskies at one point.

Weisenburger tied a career high with four hits, including a pair of two-baggers, while driving in three runs. Sophomore center fielder Ryan Curl (Columbus, Ohio) added a pair of hits for the 'Hawks. The Huskies were led by Hood, who finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

The RedHawks continue their home stand on Tuesday against Xavier at 6:30 p.m. in the second game of the Joe Nuxhall Classic. Cincinnati and Wright State kick off the second annual tournament at 3 p.m. with both contests taking place at McKie Field at Hayden Park.

--MURedHawks.com--