Box Score May 13, 2016 Box Score
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MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - With the score deadlocked heading into the ninth inning, the Miami University baseball team got some clutch hitting as it powered past Central Michigan, 7-3, in Friday's series opener at Theunissen Stadium. The victory improved the RedHawks' record to 23-24 (12-7 MAC) on the season.
The Red & White grabbed the game's first lead in the top of the second. With one out, Dallas Hall singled up the middle and then stole second to put a runner in scoring position. After a Steve Sada single gave MU runners on the corners, Spencer Dull put down a safety squeeze to score Hall from third. Through one and a half innings played, the 'Hawks had a 1-0 edge.
Miami widened its advantage in the third. With one out, Tyler Harris worked a walk to give the RedHawks a baserunner. Then, after a strikeout, Gary Russo singled to center, advancing Harris to third. Chad Sedio followed that up with a hit of his own, a single through the right side that plated Harris. Hall capped off the frame by ripping a single to left, easily scoring Russo from third. The RedHawks held a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third. The home half of the inning saw Central Michigan fight back. A passed ball with the bases loaded, a one-run single and a sac fly allowed the Chippewas to even things at three apiece through three innings of play.
Just when the game seemed destined to be determined in extra innings, the Miami bats came back alive in the top of the ninth. Dull led off the inning by earning an infield single and was subsequently moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt by Julian Flanary the next at bat. After an out, Harris was given an intentional pass, bringing Ross Haffey to the plate with runners on first and second. Haffey came up big as he singled through the right side, scoring Dull. Next, Russo provided some insurance with his 17th home run of the season, a three-run blast over the left field wall.
With a four-run lead entering the bottom of the ninth, reliever Shane Smith was able to seal the victory by setting the Chippewas down in order. Smith, who picked up the win to move to 4-3 on the season, tossed six innings of scoreless baseball. He allowed four hits while striking out three and walking zero. Gus Graham, Friday's starting pitcher, allowed three runs on six hits in three innings of work.
The RedHawks and Chippewas get back at it at 2:05 p.m. on Saturday. Right-hander Cole Gnetz is scheduled to take the mound for Miami.
