April 16, 2010
Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Miami University baseball team put the tying run on second base in the top of the ninth inning, but Western Michigan was able to hold off a late RedHawk rally to take the series opener, 5-4, Friday at Hyames Field. The RedHawks (15-18, 3-7 Mid-American Conference) have now played three-straight one-run contests, rallying in the ninth inning each time, but have fallen short in the last two.
Western Michigan (8-24, 2-8 MAC) received a strong pitching performance from starter Casey Webber (2-2), who earned the win by tossing six innings and allowing just an unearned run on five hits with five walks and strikeouts each. Miami junior starter Tyler Melling (Bellefontaine, Ohio) suffered the loss (2-4), going 5.1 innings and allowing all five Bronco runs on 11 hits while fanning two and issuing three free passes.
The 'Hawks were out-hit 11-9, but were led by junior first baseman Kyle Weldon (Mason, Ohio), who notched his fifth multi-hit game in his last six contests by tying a career high with three hits while also driving in three runs. Sophomore designated hitter Jordan Jankowski (McMurray, Pa.) went 2-for-4 with a run scored while junior shortstop Ryan Kaup (Chandler, Ariz.) finished 3-for-4 with a run, as well. WMU was led by designated hitter Jimmy Martinez, who went 4-for-5 and scored twice.
Miami took a 1-0 lead in the first when junior third baseman Brad Gschwind (Cincinnati, Ohio) walked, advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt and scored on a single through the left side by Weldon. The Broncos evened the game in the third when Martinez scored on a single by center fielder Kyle Galbraith.
Western Michigan took the lead in the fourth frame on a single to right by catcher Brooks Beilke and made it 3-1 in the following inning when first baseman Chris Lewis trotted home on a fielder's choice by shortstop Ryan McMillin. The Broncos extended their lead to 5-1 in the sixth, as Martinez crossed home on a wild pitch while a double by third baseman Grant Simotes drove in the second run of the inning.
Freshman reliever Brandon Adkins (Ona, W.Va.) kept WMU quiet the remainder of the game, working the final 2.2 innings without giving up a run or hit while striking out four, to keep the RedHawks within striking distance. In the top of the ninth, two singles and a walk to start the inning loaded the bases, but WMU reliever Derek Mosher earned a strikeout and forced a shallow fly out to right to keep the bags full with two outs. Junior catcher Adam Weisenburger (Plymouth, Minn.) was then plunked to plate one run while Weldon followed with a two-RBI single to right to bring Miami within one at 5-4. Mosher earned the final out via strikeout however, to lock down the 5-4 win for the Broncos.
The RedHawks played the game under protest after a runner's interference call with two outs in the top of the seventh inning.
Miami and Western Michigan square off again on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.
--MURedHawks.com--
