Box Score May 7, 2016 Box Score
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OXFORD, Ohio - A quality start from Cole Gnetz and four home runs helped the Miami University baseball team to an 11-6 victory over Western Michigan on Saturday at McKie Field. The win moves the Red & White's record to 22-23 (11-6 MAC) on the season.
The RedHawks came out firing early. In the bottom of the first, Steve Sada led things off with a single and Adam Yacek walked, putting two on for Ross Haffey. The redshirt sophomore then belted his tenth home run of the season over the center field wall. After two outs, Chad Sedio capped off the opening frame with a solo shot over the wall in right, giving Miami a 4-0 lead through one inning of play.
In the bottom of the third, Gary Russo made it 5-0 when he launched a solo blast to dead center. The home run was his 16th of the season, thrusting him past associate head coach Jeremy Ison and into a tie for the sixth-most home runs in a single season by a Miami hitter.
With one out in the bottom of the fourth, the 'Hawks widened their lead again. Julian Flanary tripled down the right field line and was subsequently brought home on a Hayden Senger single the next at bat. Later on in the inning, with the bases loaded, Haffey drew a walk to give Miami its second run of the frame and a 7-0 lead through four.
The Red & White grabbed an 8-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth as Sada was able to score from third after capitalizing on a wild pitch by the Broncos.
Western Michigan made things interesting in the away half of the seventh. In two opportunities with the bases loaded, the Broncos were able to get a bases-clearing hit on both occasions, tallying six runs in the inning to cut the MU lead to 8-6.
With two out and two on, the RedHawks were able to give themselves some cushion in the bottom of the eighth courtesy of a three-run shot to center field by Tyler Harris.
An 11-6 lead entering the ninth was plenty for pitcher Ryan Marske as he set the Broncos down in order, collecting his eighth save of 2016. In total, Marske tossed two innings and retired each of the six batters he faced. Gnetz got the start on the hill for MU, going 6.1 innings and allowing four runs on five hits. He also struck out seven, his second-highest mark this season.
The RedHawks and Broncos return to the diamond tomorrow with the series up for grabs. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Baseball will be honoring its seniors in a pre-game ceremony.
