MU Set to Play Wright State and Kent State
4/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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Miami RedHawks (8-28, 6-9 MAC)
Games 37-40 | April 22, 24-26
April 22 | at Wright State | Nischwitz Stadium | 6:30 p.m. | TV: WatchESPN
April 24-26 | vs. Kent State | McKie Field at Hayden Park | 6/6/1 p.m.
ON TAP: The RedHawks travel to Wright State for their third and final meeting of the season with the Raiders. Then, Miami will host Kent State in a critical MAC East series. Miami is currently three games back of Kent State in the MAC East standings.
AROUND THE HORN
• Senior Matt Honchel has reached base in 34 of 37 games. He and fellow senior Scott Slappey lead the team with 18 RBI.
• Two RedHawks recently hit their first career home run(s). Redshirt Freshman Spencer Dull and junior Jake Romano both recorded their first career home runs last week. Romano had two last week, including the game-deciding home run in the top of the 13th inning Sunday at Akron.
• With Sunday’s extra innings win, the RedHawks are 2-0 in games that go more than nine innings. Both came in conference play and in series-winning games.
•Sophomore Steve Sada is the only RedHawk to play in all 36 games. He has also started all 36 contests.
• Sophomore Adam Yacek leads the team in home runs (4) and slugging percentage (.560). Senior Scott Slappey leads the team with five multi-rbi games.
• Entering the weekend, the RedHawks are holding on to the final spot to qualify for the MAC Tournament.
SCOUTING REPORT
ABOUT WRIGHT STATE (27-10, 13-4 Horizon): The Raiders are coming off a weekend in which they completed a three-game sweep of Oakland, with the latter two games going to extra innings.
SERIES HISTORY: The RedHawks lead the all-time series, 45-39. The two teams last met a week ago at the Joe Nuxhall Classic, an 11-6 Wright State victory. The RedHawks are 0-2 against the Raiders this season. One game between the two teams was canceled due to inclement weather.
ABOUT KENT STATE (21-15, 9-6 MAC): Kent State enters the weekend after dropping two of three to Ohio. They are currently tied for the top spot in the MAC East standings with Akron. Last season, the Golden Flashes finished second in MAC East, two games back of Miami. However, Kent State went on to win the MAC Tournament and advanced to NCAA Regionals, where they went 0-2.
SERIES HISTORY: The RedHawks are 78-104 all-time against Kent State. The two teams last met in April of 2014 when the Golden Flashes took two out of three from the Red & White.
LAST WEEKEND: The RedHawks went 0-2 at last week’s Nuxhall, dropping games to Wright State and Xavier. Miami took two of three from Akron, including an extra innings, 8-7 victory.
GAME NOTES
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 274 career hits. This season, Honchel has been the offensive backbone of the team, boasting a .383 batting average with ten doubles, 19 runs, 18 runs batted in and two home runs. In addition, he leads the team lead with 14 multi-hit games and has reached base safely in 34 of 37 games this season. He has earned at least one hit in 30 of 37 games.
CARDIAC KIDS: The RedHawks are 5-0 when leading after six innings of play. They are also 2-0 in extra inning contests. The first came back in March when the RedHawks defeated Western Michigan, 3-2, in 11 innings. The second came this past weekend when the Red & White defeated Akron, 8-7, in a thrilling 13 inning rubber match.
A WELCOMED ADDITION: Senior Will Schierholz has been a key piece of the Miami bullpen this season. The first-year transfer leads all RedHawk pitchers in appearances (22) and saves (5). Over the course of four relief appearances last week, he tossed nine and a third innings, allowed just one earned run and garnered an impressive 0.96 ERA. He earned a save in Saturday’s 11-9 victory over Akron. Then, on Sunday, he tossed six and a third innings of relief (105 pitches), allowed just one run and got the win in Miami’s 8-7 extra innings victory.
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 .324 batting average ranks him third-best on the team, while his .560 slugging percentage is the highest on the team. His four home runs also leads the team.
ROMANO TAKING OFF: Junior Jake Romano has been one of Miami’s best players of late. Last week, he hit .487, earned two or more hits in all five games he played in, contributed four RBI, two doubles, six runs and a stolen base. He also recorded his first two career home runs. The second was the most memorable as it turned out to be the game-winning run in Miami’s extra innings victory over Akron on Sunday. The former MAC Freshman of the Year ranks fourth on the team in batting average and his 24 runs is the most on the team. His performance this past week earned him Miami’s Male Athlete of the Week.
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)
