Miami University
Buffalo
RedHawks Downed by Bulls, 5-1, in Series Finale
5/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 16, 2010
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The University at Buffalo Bulls baseball team jumped out to a 5-0 and the Miami RedHawks were never able to recover as the Bulls took the series finale between the teams, 5-1, Sunday afternoon at Amherst Audubon Field. With the loss, the RedHawks (25-26, 10-14 Mid-American Conference) suffered their first ever sweep at the hands of Buffalo (23-26, 9-15 MAC), but still hold the eighth and final spot in the MAC Tournament heading into the final weekend of league play.
UB starter Josh Edwards (1-5) kept Miami off balance throughout the day, as he earned the win by going 7.2 innings while allowing one run on four hits with a trio of strikeouts. RedHawk freshman starter Brooks Fiala (Carmel, Ind.) took the loss (2-4), giving up four runs on five hits with three walks in 3.1 innings of work. Junior reliever Sam Dawes (Cincinnati, Ohio) gave Miami 4.2 strong innings of relief, conceding just a run on four hits with two strikeouts and no walks. In doing so, he made his 80th career appearance on the mound for Miami, which ties the school's all-time record.
The RedHawks were out-hit 9-4, as freshman designated hitter Nate Bowles (Dayton, Ohio) had a pair of hits while junior center fielder Adam Eaton (Springfield, Ohio) belted a round-tripper and junior shortstop Ryan Kaup (Chandler, Ariz.) collected the other hit.
After a scoreless first inning, the Bulls loaded the bases in the second with one out and first baseman Rob Lawler cleared them with a three-RBI double off the wall in left field to put Buffalo up 3-0. A solo shot down the left field line by center fielder Adam Skonieczki made it 4-0 in the third while an RBI groundout upped UB's lead to 5-0 in the fifth frame.
Miami finally got on the board in the sixth inning as Eaton drilled his team-leading 12th home run of the season off the light tower in right field with two outs. The bomb extended his hit streak to a career-long 18 games. The Red and White would manage just two more singles the rest of the contest, however, and never reached second base as Buffalo closed out the 5-1 victory.
The RedHawks look to rebound next weekend when they wrap up the regular season and try to secure a spot in the upcoming MAC Tournament by hosting rival Ohio in a three-game series from Thursday to Saturday. Thursday's and Friday's contests begin at 6 p.m. while Saturday's regular-season finale, which will also be Senior Day, has first pitch slated for 1 p.m.
--MURedHawks.com--
