RedHawks Begin Busy Week at Eastern Kentucky
4/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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Miami RedHawks (9-31, 7-11 MAC)
Games 41-45 | April 28-29, May 1-3
ON TAP: The RedHawks travel to Eastern Kentucky Tuesday to begin a home-and-home with the Colonels. The series concludes Wednesday when Miami hosts EKU. Then, the RedHawks will remain home for the weekend as they open up a three-game set with Eastern Michigan in an important MAC matchup.
Around The Horn
• Senior Matt Honchel has reached base in 36 of 38 games played. He and fellow senior Scott Slappey lead the team with 18 RBI.
• In Sunday’s doubleheader split, Miami starting pitchers Jacob Banks and Ryan Powers combined for 17.1 IP and one earned run allowed.
• Senior RHP Ryan Powers recorded his first career complete game, earning a nine-inning shutout against Kent State Sunday. He tied a career-high with eight strikeouts.
• Sophomore Adam Yacek leads the team in home runs with five home runs. Senior Scott Slappey and Junior Gary Russo lead the team with five multi-rbi games.
• With Sunday’s doubleheader game two win, Miami moves to 6-0 when leading after seven innings. Adam Yacek and Max Andresen hit back-toback solo shots in the bottom of the seventh inning to lead the RedHawks to a 2-0 win over Kent State.
Scouting The Opponents
ABOUT EASTERN KENTUCKY (15-24, 8-12 OVC): The Colonels are coming off a weekend in which they suffered a series loss to Eastern Illinois. They won the middle game of the series, notching a 12-4 win in the first contest of a Sunday doubleheader. EKU is led by junior TJ Alas, who is hitting .400 on the season. Fellow junior Mandy Alvarez leads the team with 39 RBI and second on the team with ten home runs.
SERIES HISTORY: The RedHawks lead the all-time series over the Colonels, 16-12. The two teams last met in April of 2014. The Colonels bested the Red & White, earning a 7-5 victory in 14 innings.
ABOUT EASTERN MICHIGAN (17-26, 7-11 MAC): Eastern Michigan enters the weekend after suffering a series loss at the hands of Northern Illinois. The Eagles won the series-opening game before dropping both games of a Sunday doubleheader.
SERIES HISTORY: The RedHawks trail the all-time series, 52-56. The two teams last met a season ago as Miami earned a sweep over the Eagles.
Notes
LAST WEEKEND: The RedHawks went 1-3 on the week but earned an important win in game two of Sunday’s doubleheader. The win allowed Miami to keep pace in the race for a spot in the Mid-American Conference Tournament next month.
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 in career hits and currently sits at 276. This season, Honchel has been the offensive backbone of the team, boasting a .367 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 36 of 38 games this season. He has earned at least one hit in 30 of 38 games.
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 (24) and saves (5). In his last five appearances, he has tossed ten innings, allowing just one run and six hits. Over that span, he has posted a .90 ERA. In the team’s series finale at Akron, 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 .311 batting average ranks him third-best on the team, while his .529 slugging percentage is the second-highest on the team. His five home runs leads the team.
BANKING ON THE POWER: Sophomore Jacob Banks and senior Ryan Powers have been the two consistent starting pitchers for the Red & White. This past weekend, the two started in back-to-back games in a doubleheader with Kent State. The duo combined for 17.1 innings pitched, while allowing just one run. Powers capped of the day with a complete game shutout performance, the first of his career. He also tied a career-high with eight strikeouts. Leadoff hitter were just 1-for-9 against him.
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)
