Baseballl Welcome Toledo for MAC Home Opener
3/29/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 29, 2012
Game Notes vs. Toledo 
Toledo Game Notes
After opening the Mid-American Conference baseball schedule on the road last week, Miami begins the home portion of that slate this weekend when it welcomes Toledo to McKie Field. Game times are slated for 6 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
The RedHawks (13-11, 1-2) struggled for key hits in dropping two of three at Eastern Michigan last weekend. After a 9-1 win on Friday, Miami fell 3-1 and 4-2 to the Eagles.
The RedHawks did not play any midweek games due to midterms
Toledo (10-11, 2-1) is coming off a 4-3, 12-inning non-conference win over Kent State on Tuesday and a 2-1 series win vs. Ohio last weekend.
Freshman outfielder Matt Honchel has taken over the team with a .379 batting average. He has 11 multiple-hit games this season, also tied atop the club. Sophomore catcher John Crummy has seen his average drop to .366, but he still stands second with 22 runs batted in, one behind Kevin Bower. All totalled, Miami has eight players who are hitting at least .300, leading to a .302 average.
On the mound, RedHawk pitchers hold a 5.26 ERA, but have struck out 151 batters, compared to 71 walks. Opponents are hitting just .294 against Miami.
Miami has used the same rotation every weekend this spring, sending junior right-hander Mac Thoreson (3-2, 5.86) to the mound in the opener. After a rough first three games, he has settled down, winning three straight with a 1.14 ERA over 23.1 innings. back-to-back outings with a 1.12 ERA over 16 innings.
Junior righty Brooks Fiala (2-3, 6.61) and senior left-hander Shawn Marquardt will pitch Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Both suffered tough losses last weekend, allowing just one and three runs to EMU. Marquardt has been the ace of the staff overall so far, being selected as MAC East Pitcher of the Week twice in the first six weeks.
