RedHawks Set For Joe Nuxhall Classic
4/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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Miami RedHawks (6-25, 4-8 MAC)
Joe Nuxhall Classic
Games 32-33 | April 13-14
Tuesday vs. Wright State | 3 p.m.
Wednesday vs. Cincinnati/Xavier | TBA
ON TAP: The RedHawks travel to Cincinnati to participate in the seventh annual Joe Nuxhall Classic, joining host Cincinnati, Wright State and Xavier. Miami takes on Wright State Tuesday at 3 p.m. The Red & White’s Wednesday matchup will depend on the result of the Tuesday late game between Cincinnati and Xavier.
JOE NUXHALL CLASSIC: Named after former MLB pitcher Joe Nuxhall, who won 135 games in 16 seasons (15 with the Cincinnati Reds). The tournament began in 2009 with the goal of promoting amateur baseball in southwest Ohio.
ABOUT WRIGHT STATE (22-10, 10-4 HORIZON): The Raiders enter the classic after a weekend series win over Youngstown State, taking two of three from YSU. Wright State is 6-4 since meeting the RedHawks back on March 24, a 7-3 win for WSU. They are led by Mitch Roman, who has started every game, earning a .336 batting average.
SERIES HISTORY: The RedHawks are 45-38 all-time against the Raiders, including last month’s loss.
ABOUT CINCINNATI (11-22, 4-5 American): The Bearcats enter the classic coming off a series conference win, taking two of three from Memphis. UC and Miami met in both teams’ season-opener this year, a 3-1 Bearcat win. They are led by Ian Happ, who has garnered a .397 batting average as well as an impressive .698 slugging percentage.
SERIES HISTORY: Miami is 100-65 all-time against the Bearcats, including this year’s season-opening loss.
ABOUT XAVIER (8-26, 0-6 Big East): The Musketeers are coming off a weekend in which they were swept by conference foe Creighton. Despite their recent struggles, Xavier is 2-0 against Miami this season, earning a pair of wins in a home-and-home midweek series with Miami last month.
SERIES HISTORY: The RedHawks are 85-48 all-time against the Musketeers, including both losses this season.
LAST WEEKEND: The RedHawks suffered a series loss to Buffalo. The Bulls took the first and final game of the series, while Miami earned a 6-3 victory in the Saturday matchup.
HONCHEL RISING: Honchel has moved up the career batting average list and currently sits at sixth all-time with a .355 average. Recently, he moved into sole possession of third all-time in Miami history with 269 career hits. This season, Honchel has been the offensive backbone of the team, boasting a .383 batting average with ten doubles, 17 runs scored, 18 runs batted in and two home runs. In addition, he leads the team lead with 13 multi-hit games and has reached base safely in 28 of 31 games this season. He has earned at least one hit in 24 of 31 games.
UTILITY MAN: Senior Ryan Elble has started 26 games this season. He began the year as the team’s left fielder. However, he has become the team’s true utility man as he is the only player two play three or more positions during the season. He has made 13 starts in left field, eight at first base and, most recently, five at shortstop. In addition, he has become a welcomed addition to the RedHawk offense. Following the March 15th game at ETSU, Elble had a .188 batting average. He has improved greatly, currently sitting at a .301 average. He also has seven extra base hits on the season, six of which came after March 15th at ETSU.
WORK HORSES: Senior Ryan Powers has been Miami’s Friday starter the whole season. He is the anchor of the RedHawk starting rotation. He has gone six or more innings in five of his last six starts. In addition, he has had 100-plus pitches in each of those outings. He ranks second on the team with an opponent batting average of .234. Sophomore Jacob Banks has done equally as good of a job as Miami’s Saturday starter so far this season. In nine starts this season, he has gone six or more innings in six of those games. Like Powers, he has had six outings of 100-plus pitches.
YACEK GETTING IT DONE: While he did appear sporadically at the beginning of the season, sophomore Adam Yacek has become a regular in the Miami lineup of late. His .301 batting average ranks is tied for third-best on the team, while his .494 slugging percentage is third-highest on the team as well. His four home runs leads the team.
RUSSO HEATING UP: Gary Russo was arguably Miami’s best hitter and offensive weapon last year. However, the junior had a rather cold start to the season, recording just six hits in his first 15 games. Since then, over his last ten games, he is hitting .378 with 12 RBIs, four doubles and one home run.
MAC PRESEASON PICKS (Coaches Poll)
EAST DIVISION
1. Kent State - 68 (8 first place)
2. Miami - 59 (3 first place)
3. Akron - 41
4. Bowling Green - 38 (1 first place)
5. Buffalo - 27
6. Ohio - 19
WEST DIVISION
1. Ball State - 67 (8 first place)
2. Central Michigan - 55 (2 first place)
3. Western Michigan - 46 (1 first place)
4. Toledo - 43 (1 first place)
5. Eastern Michigan - 23
6. Northern Illinois - 18
Tournament Champion Votes: Kent State (3), Miami (2), Central Michigan (2), Ball State (2), Bowling Green (1), Toledo (1) and Western Michigan (1)
