RedHawks Ready-Up for Series at Winthrop
3/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Miami RedHawks (5-5) and Winthrop Eagles (7-6)
ON TAP
After one game in mid-week action the Red & White can turn all of their attention to Winthrop. The RedHawks and Eagles are set to square off in a three game series that begins Friday at 4 p.m. Miami comes in having won four of their last five road weekend contests.
AROUND THE HORN
- This past weekend's series win over Tennessee Tech marks the first time Miami has captured a non-conference series since taking two out of three from Davidson in 2014 (Feb 28-March 2). This excludes tournaments and other round robin events.
- Senior Gary Russo continues to be a force at the dish for the Red & White in the early parts of the 2016 season. With four home runs through the first two weekends, Russo tacked on two more this past weekend, giving him six through the team's first ten games.
- Freshman Dallas Hall made his Miami debut this past weekend, starting all three games in left field for the 'Hawks. The West Chester, Ohio native went 5-of-12 with one run and five RBI.
- Miami's four-game win streak prior to Sunday's defeat was its longest since winning seven consecutive contests to end the 2014 regular season.
- Freshmen Michael Hendricks and Cole Gnetz were Miami's starting pitchers on Friday and Saturday, respectively. For both, it was their first career collegiate start. Combined with fellow newcomer Zach Spears, Miami went with an all freshman rotation this past weekend at TTU.
SCOUTING REPORT
WINTHROP: The Eagles enter the weekend coming off of a tough midweek loss to Clemson, falling 4-3 on a walk-off hit. This past weekend, Winthrop took two of three from Rhode Island. So far, leading the way offensively is Anthony Paulsen. The junior outfielder is hitting .423 through 12 games with 20 runs, four doubles, one triples, two home runs and 12 RBI.
LAST MEETING: Miami and Winthrop have seen each once prior, a three game series back in 2007. The RedHawks took that series, winning the first two games before the Eagles claimed the series finale.
BATTER'S BOX OR LAUNCH PAD?
Entering this week, Miami sits at seventh in the country in home runs per game. The RedHawks have launched at least one home run in nine of their ten games, only failing to do so in their season opener. MU has four games where it recorded two or more home runs in a game, hitting three home runs on three of occasions. The season total is up to 15 with seven of those coming this past weekend at Tennessee Tech.
HITTING HAFFEY
Redshirt sophomore Ross Haffey has been on a tear since the season began. Through nine games, the first baseman is hitting .439 and leads the team with 17 RBI. His seven extra base hits trails only senior Gary Russo who has nine.
FRESH FACES
Much can be derived about a team's potential based on the number and quality of players they lost from the previous season. However, perhaps more importantly, the other side of the coin features what you actually have in your newcomers. With 17 fresh faces on the roster in 2016, it stands to reason a bulk of them will see a good amount of action this season. Thirteen newcomers have made their Miami debuts through the team's first nine games.
RUSSO RAKING
After a monster season in 2014 that saw him lead the team in home runs, doubles, extra-base hits, RBI, runs and slugging pct., senior Gary Russo could not find his stride at the plate a season ago. After some work in the batter's box, as well as a huge emphasis on improving his defense, Russo will hope to become a staple in MU's corner outfield. A revitalization at the dish for the St. Louis, Mo. native could prove to be a nice bonus to a lineup with several proven bats. Russo has had just the start he was looking for, hitting .333 with six home runs, three doubles and 14 RBI. Russo is tied for first in the country in home runs per game and 20th in total bases entering the week.
GET THE LEAD, WIN THE GAME
Miami has scored the first run in five of their nine games. Jumping out to a lead has proven to be beneficial as the Red & White are 5-0 when plating the first run. Moreover, the Red & White are 3-0 when leading after one inning. Conversely, when surrendering the game's first run, the RedHawks are 0-5. After a first inning deficit, MU is 1-4. The RedHawks are undefeated in games in which they led at any point.
ADAM BOMB
Redshirt junior Adam Yacek became a pleasant surprise for the Red & White a season ago. The third baseman was one of Miami's most consistent hitters, providing a good mix of power and contact at the plate. He led the team in XBH (22), slugging pct. (.507), home runs (6) and triples (5). His .337 average is the highest of any RedHawk returners. For his efforts in 2015, Yacek was named a Second Team All-MAC selection. A slow start to 2016 has Yacek's stats down from a season ago. However, he has improved each week and went 4-of-11 this past weekend to go along with a double, three runs and two RBI. Defensively, he has manned the hot corner well, starting all ten games there so far.
EVEN STEPHEN
One goal that is synonymous with all teams and athletes is to find consistency in their play. Miami has gotten that in junior Steve Sada. The second baseman has played in more games over the past two seasons than any other RedHawk. The Saegertown, Pa. native has racked up over 100 starts in the past two years at his middle infield position. At the conclusion of his freshman campaign in 2014, Sada had collected a .309 average and was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, as well as a Second Team All-MAC selection. His sophomore season was not as decorated award-wise, but he still produced, garnering the third-most hits on the team.
MIAMI BASEBALL GETS NEW HOME
Funded entirely through the private support of Miami Baseball's alumni and friends, the team was able to move into their brand new facility in September. The Jay Hayden Baseball Center is a 10,000 square-foot facility that features a coaches' office suite, a locker room, players' lounge, training room and much more. The building sits along Hayden Park's left field line and is attached to both the existing hitting facility and home bullpen. A tunnel also allows for field access for Miami during their games. The facility is a product of the ongoing Graduating Champions campaign by Miami Athletics.
MAC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
EAST
1. Kent State - 63 points (9)
2. Ohio - 55 points (2)
3. Bowling Green - 43 points
4. Miami - 37 points
5. Buffalo - 22 points
WEST
1. Central Michigan - 56 points (6)
2. Ball State - 53 points (3)
3. Western Michigan - 42 points (1)
4. Toledo - 41 points
5. Northern Illinois - 24 points (1)
6. Eastern Michigan - 15 points
TOURNAMENT CHAMPION VOTES: Kent State (4), Central Michigan (2), Ball State (1), Bowling Green (1), Miami (1), NIU (1), Western Michigan (1)
