Miami University
Pittsburgh
Pitt Inches Past Miami On Walk-Off Single
4/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (HTML)
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - It was a back-and-forth battle but a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth gave Pitt the win over Miami, 8-7, on Sunday afternoon. The loss drops the Red & White's record to 20-19 (9-3 MAC) on the season.
The Panthers kicked off the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. With runners on the corners, a safety squeeze brought home one run to make it 1-0 after two.
Miami responded in the top half of the third when Dallas Hall doubled to right center and was subsequently brought home on a bunt single by Spencer Dull and a throwing error on the UP third baseman. Pitt pulled back in front in the home half of the inning on a groundout that scored a Panther baserunner who was on third. After three, the score stood at 2-1 in favor of Pitt.
The RedHawks' bats started heating up in the away portion of the fourth. Adam Yacek led off the frame by tripling to center and was brought in the next at bat on a single up the middle by Ross Haffey. After Gary Russo worked a walk, he and Haffey both stole to put runners on second and third. The strategy paid dividends as Steve Sada was able to get a fly ball to left, earning a sac fly as Haffey tagged up and scored. Tyler Harris capped off the scoring with a double to left center that plated Russo. After three and a half innings played, Miami had a 4-2 advantage.
Miami padded its lead in the fifth on a Yacek sac fly that scored Chad Sedio, who had reached on a hit by pitch, stole second and made it to third on a throwing error.
Pitt fired back in the bottom of the sixth to reclaim the lead. The Panthers plated four runs on a single, a groundout, a sac fly and a wild pitch. Through six, UP possessed a 6-5 edge.
The top of the seventh featured another lead change. With one out, Dull was hit by a pitch and then Jake Romano crushed one to right for his second home run of the season. The homer put the Red & White back in front, 7-6, through six and a half. Pitt answered in its opportunity in the seventh, tying the game back up on a wild pitch after a two-out triple to right center.
In the bottom of the ninth, with one out and a runner on second, a single through the left side allowed Pitt to bring around the winning run in walk-off fashion.
Miami starting pitcher Zach Spears had a good outing, allowing just two runs on two hits in five innings of work. He also walked three and fanned four.
The RedHawks spring back into action on Wednesday as they head to Kentucky. The game is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcasted on SEC Network+.
