MU Bounces Back in 9-0 Win Over USC Upstate
2/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The RedHawks (1-2, 0-0 MAC) were looking to rebound this weekend and got off to a quick start Friday, scoring early and often on their way to a 9-0 win over USC Upstate.
“We got a good start from Powers, leaving the game with a no-hitter,” said Head Coach Danny Hayden. “In addition, we did a lot of things well offensively and that’s something we didn’t do last weekend. We did a much better job of executing with guys in scoring position.”
The RedHawks earned the game’s first runs in the top of the second. Matt Honchel singled to start the inning and Max Andresen advanced Honchel on a fielder’s choice. Then, Scott Slappey singled, putting runners on first and third. Chad Sedio singled the next at-bat, scoring Honchel. With runners at first and third, Ryan Elble bunted for a single, loading the bases. Kendall Johnson then earned a walk, scoring Slappey. The RedHawks came out of the top half of the frame with a 2-0 lead.
The Red & White got on the board again in the top of the fourth. Elble hit a sacrifice fly after Sedio cranked a leadoff triple to left center, putting Miami up 3-0 after three and a half.
The RedHawks extended their lead once again in the top of the fifth. A two-out double by Andresen scored Honchel, extending the MU lead to 4-0 after four and a half innings.
MU poured it on further in the top of the seventh. With one out and the bases loaded, Slappey hammered a double to left field that scored Gary Russo and Honchel, extending the lead to 6-0. After a Sedio strikeout, Jacob Wolf pinch-hit for Elble. Wolf singled through the left side, scoring Andresen and Slappey.
Ryan Powers was lights out for the RedHawks. He finished with a career-high eight strikeouts while allowing no hits over six innings pitched. The possibility of a no-hitter was thwarted by a pitch count of 99. If he had gone the distance, he would’ve been the first Miami pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Jack Kucek no-hit Cincinnati during the 1974 NCAA District 4 Playoffs. Last year, Seth Varner took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Davidson earned their first hit of the game on a one-out double.
The RedHawks rounded out their scoring for the day in the top of the eighth when a Steve Sada RBI single scored Jake Romano to make it 9-0. Romano reached base on a leadoff triple. In total, Miami leadoff hitters went 8-for-9 on the day.
Chris Ticherich made his first career appearance in relief of Powers, earning the save. He finished his day with two strikeouts, four hits and one walk over three innings pitched.
Spencer Dull also made his first appearance as a RedHawk. He subbed in defensively at catcher in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The RedHawks return to action tomorrow for a doubleheader against UNC-Asheville (12 p.m.) and Wofford (4 p.m.).
