MU Drops Opening Game of Nuxhall Classic
4/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
CINCINNATI, Ohio – The RedHawks (6-26, 4-8 MAC) fell to Wright State in the opening game of the Joe Nuxhall Classic, 7-3 Tuesday. Steve Sada led the Red & White, going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs.
Miami got the game’s first run in the bottom of the first. With Matt Honchel on first and Sada on third, Kendall Johnson hit a fly ball to left field, which was deep enough to score Sada and earn Johnson a sac fly. The RedHawks took a 1-0 lead into the second frame.
Wright State responded, scoring two runs in the top of the second inning. The first run came on a single by the Raiders’ John Brodner. The second came on a groundout by Brad Macciocchi.
The Raiders extended their lead in the top of the fifth. A single by Sean Murphy put Wright State up 3-1 through four and half innings. The Raider lead was padded further in the top of the sixth. A Brodner fielder’s choice and a Mitch Roman groundout allowed WSU to plate two more runs, putting them up 5-1 through five and half innings of play.
The RedHawks cut into the WSU lead in the bottom of the eighth. A groundball double play allowed Sada, who was at third, to score. The run was his second of the game. Johnson earned the RBI.
The RedHawks suffered a setback in the top of ninth. The Raiders plated two more runs on a groundout and a single, bringing the lead to 7-2. In the bottom of the ninth, Miami was able to get a run back. Freshman Spencer Dull belted a ball to deep left field, bouncing it off the top of the wall and off the foul pole for his first career home run.
Brian Thene (1-1) took the loss for Miami. He went 4.1 IP, allowing just three hits, three runs (three earned) and struck out three Raider hitters.
The RedHawks return to the diamond tomorrow as they take on the loser of the Cincinnati and Xavier matchup. Cincinnati will play in the late game tomorrow regardless of the outcome of their game with Xavier. So, if Cincinnati wins, Miami will play at 3 p.m. If they lose, Miami will face off against the Bearcats at 7 p.m.
UPDATE: Cincinnati has defeated Xavier, 4-0. Therefore, Miami will play Xavier tomorrow at 3 p.m.
