RedHawks Earn Series Win in Extra Innings
3/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – On a day where runs came at a premium, a great team effort and timely hitting catapulted the Miami RedHawks (4-14, 2-0 MAC) to a 3-2 extra innings victory over Western Michigan (7-11, 0-2 MAC).
Unlike yesterday, WMU got on the board first. In the top of the first, a sac groundout scored a baserunner from third, giving the Broncos the early 1-0 lead.
The WMU lead held true until the RedHawks got their first runs of the game in the top of the fourth. Ryan Elble led off the inning with single. After an Adam Yacek fly out to deep left center, Jake Romano got on first as a result of a hit by pitch. Two batters later, Scott Slappey hit a two-out double to center field, scoring Elble and Romano. The Red & White exited the top half of the inning with a 2-1 lead.
WMU tied things up in the bottom of the sixth on a sac fly, making it 2-2 through six innings.
Miami took the lead in the top of the 11th inning. Elble led off the inning with a single and then Yacek advanced him to second on a sac bunt the next at bat. Then, a passed ball allowed Elble to move over to third. Facing two strikes, Romano was able to get a groundball and Elble was able to just beat out the tag.
Will Schierholz came on in the bottom of the 11th after the Broncos earned a leadoff walk. He got a groundball and then two strikeouts to earn his third save of the season. It is also his second in as many days for Miami. Brian Thene earned his first victory of the season.
The RedHawks return to action tomorrow for the series finale in hopes of earning a sweep in the opening weekend of MAC play. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
