Miami University
Furman
RedHawks Drop 8-6 Decision to Furman
2/25/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 25, 2012
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Kevin Bower had hits in both at-bats, driving in two, and Alex Johnson added a pair of RBIs, but Miami dropped an 8-6 decision to Furman Saturday afternoon at Fluor Field. Seven other RedHawks each had a hit.
Miami (2-3) struck for two quick runs as the first four batters reached base. Ryan Brenner walked and stole second before Nate Bowles walked. After a wild pitch, Bryce Redeker drew the third straight base on balls. Bower extended his hitting streak to nine games dating back to last year with an RBI single down the left field line, then Alex Johnson brought Redeker home with a fly ball to centerfield. The RedHawks had a chance at a bigger inning, loading the bases, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat.
The Paladins responded in similar fashion. They started with a walk and single before getting on the board with an RBI double. Will Muzika followed with a two-run double, his first of four hits on the day, to put Furman up 3-2 after one. An RBI triple and run-scoring groundout added two more to the lead in the second.
But Miami answered right back, tying the game in the third. Redeker and Bower had back-to-back doubles for the first run, but Bower came up limping and couldn't continue. Johnson singled to load the bases before a groundout plated Bower's replacement, Kendall Johnson. One out later, Scott Slappey tied the score at 5-5 with an infield single that brought home Alex Johnson.
The momentum continued into the fourth as the RedHawks grabbed their first lead. A groundout by Alex Johnson drove in Bowles, whol led off the inning with a grounder up the middle.
Furman took the lead for good in the fifth with only one hit, a leadoff single. Two wild pitches and a passed ball led to a 6-6 tie. A walk ended Thoreson's day, but a free pass from Brandon Adkins led to a later run on a fielder's choice.
The Paladins capitalized on another wild pitch in the seventh to add some insurance. A one-out groundout, then the errant toss put a runner in scoring position. After a strikeout, an intentional walk and infield single off Nathan Williams loaded the bases. Four straight balls forced in Paladins' final run.
Miami had two final chances. In the eighth, a pair of hit batsmen brought the go-ahead run to the plate, but Kendall Johnson struck out and Alex Johnson flied out to end the inning. Honchel opened the ninth with a single, but Elliott Warford retired three straight to pick up his first save.
Anthony Buonopane, Furman's third of five pitchers, gained the win to improve to 1-0, while Thoreson took the loss to fall to 0-2. He allowe eight hits and seven runs in 4.0 innings. He lasted only 3.2 innings in an opening day loss at Furman last weekend.
Miami wraps up its stay in South Carolina tomorrow with a 12 noon contest against Michigan State. The Spartans defeated the RedHawks 13-4 in yesterday's tournament opener.
