Baseball

Miami Blanks Northern Illinois, 7-0, in Series Opener

Box Score April 2, 2016

Box Score

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DEKALB, Ill. - It took two days to complete after some inclement weather but the RedHawks finished the job and blanked the Huskies, 7-0, on Saturday evening at Ralph McKinzie Stadium. The win improves Miami's record to 11-13 (2-2 MAC) on the year.

For the thirteenth time this season, Miami took a game's first lead. In the top half of the first, Steve Sada kicked things off with single up the middle. After stealing second, Sada was moved over to third two batters later on a groundout. Then, Gary Russo walked to put runners on the corners and with Chad Sedio up next, Sada was able to score on a wild pitch. After the opening half inning of play, the RedHawks had jumped out to a 1-0 lead.

Miami opened things up a bit in the top of the fifth. Sada got things going by reaching on an error and stealing both second and third base. After an out, the game was halted due to inclement weather and the two teams agreed to pick things up on Saturday.

The RedHawks and Huskies did in fact resume the contest on Saturday. The layoff proved to be quite beneficial for MU as Sada scored on wild pitch in the first at bat after resuming. Then, Ross Haffey doubled off of the right center wall, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball. Russo kept things rolling with a homer to left, his ninth of the season. After another out, Adam Yacek turned on one and launched a solo shot over the left center wall, his second blast in as many games. In total, the Red & White put up four in the inning, giving them a 5-0 lead after four and a half.

Miami tacked on one run in the top of the seventh when Russo reached second on an error that brought in Haffey, who had reached previously on a single up the middle. After six and a half, the RedHawks held a 6-0 advantage.

The Red & White widened their lead again in the top of the ninth. With one down, Russo reached on on an error and Sedio singled to right to put runners on first and second. Then, Yacek doubled down the field line, plating Russo to move the lead to 7-0.

Pitchers Gus Graham (4 IP) and Shane Smith (5 IP) combined for the four-hit shutout, the first for Miami this season. Smith (2-1) picked up the win for the 'Hawks.

The two teams meet again on Sunday for a doubleheader that is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET.

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Players Mentioned

Steve Sada

#11 Steve Sada

INF
5' 8"
Junior
Shane Smith

#17 Shane Smith

RHP
6' 0"
Freshman
Adam Yacek

#23 Adam Yacek

INF
6' 1"
Redshirt Junior
Chad Sedio

#27 Chad Sedio

INF
6' 3"
Senior
Gus Graham

#28 Gus Graham

RHP
6' 0"
Sophomore
Ross Haffey

#36 Ross Haffey

INF
6' 5"
Redshirt Sophomore
Gary Russo

#38 Gary Russo

OF
6' 3"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Steve Sada

#11 Steve Sada

5' 8"
Junior
INF
Shane Smith

#17 Shane Smith

6' 0"
Freshman
RHP
Adam Yacek

#23 Adam Yacek

6' 1"
Redshirt Junior
INF
Chad Sedio

#27 Chad Sedio

6' 3"
Senior
INF
Gus Graham

#28 Gus Graham

6' 0"
Sophomore
RHP
Ross Haffey

#36 Ross Haffey

6' 5"
Redshirt Sophomore
INF
Gary Russo

#38 Gary Russo

6' 3"
Senior
OF