March 24, 2012

Box Score

YSPILANTI, Mich. -- Brooks Fiala (2-3) tossed his first complete game of the season, scattering eight hits and allowing two earned runs, but it was not enough in a tough 3-1 decision at Eastern Michigan Saturday afternoon. Ryan Brenner, Matt Honchel and John Crummy each had two of the RedHawks' 10 hits on the day.

EMU's Jacob Butara (2-1) earned the win by allowing just one run on nine hits over 7.1 innings. He walked two and struck out four. Paul Schaak struck out two over the final 1.1 innings for his first save.

Eastern Michigan (7-14, 1-1) made the most of its eight hits, starting in the second, when it took a 1-0 lead. A leadoff single and wild pitch set up an RBI single. Miami answered back in the sixth to even the game at 1-1. After a leadoff out, Brenner and Honchel registered back-to-back hits to put runners on the corners. Bryce Redeker was safe at first on a slow roller to third that brought home Brenner. The RedHawks loaded the bases after that with a stolen base and walk, but couldn't take the lead.

The Eagles did in their next at-bat. They led off with a single to left, then attempted a sacrifice, but a throwing error by Fiala left both runners safe. After another sacrifice atttempt, this one as scripted, a double to left center made the score 3-1.

Miami had another good chance to tie in the eighth, putting two on with two out. Nate Bowles was called upon to pinch hit, but saw his 11-game hitting streak snapped with a grounder to second. The RedHawks left nine runners on base in the contest, compared to only six for Eastern Michigan.

The two teams conclude the series tomorrow afternoon with a 1 p.m. start. Senior left-hander Shawn Marquardt (2-2, 3.90 ERA) throws for Miami, while righty Ryan Lavoie (1-1, 9.24 ERA) counters for the Eagles.