Box Score April 7, 2017 Box Score
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OXFORD, Ohio - A rally in the top of the ninth and a two-run homer in the 10th led Eastern Michigan to a 7-5 win over the Miami University baseball team on Friday evening at McKie Field at Hayden Park. The RedHawks fall to 7-22 (1-6 MAC) with the defeat while the Eagles move to 11-18 (3-1 MAC).
Both sides pushed across some runs in their first chance at the plate. EMU plated three on a double, an error and a fielder's choice. In the bottom half of the inning, Brooks Urich walked to lead if off and was moved to second on a groundout. Ross Haffey brought him around to score with a double to the gap in right before an Adam Yacek single plated Haffey, getting MU to within one at 3-2 through two frames.
An Eagle solo shot in the top of the third re-widened their margin to 4-2.
The Red & White chipped into the lead with a single run in their half of the sixth. Carlos Texidor led off the inning with a triple down the right field line and scored on a Brooks Urich groundout two batters later.
Still trailing 4-3 entering the bottom of the seventh, Miami took its first lead of the day behind a couple two-out hits. With Yacek standing on second after a walk and a stolen base, a single by Dallas Hall scored him easily. A mishandle by the EMU outfielder on the play allowed Hall to make it to second. Landon Stephens followed by ripping a double to left to plate Hall. The seventh came to a close with the RedHawks ahead, 5-4.
Miami took its advantage into the ninth and looked to close things out, however an Eagle single through the left side with a runner on third knotted the game at 5-all. The RedHawks got the winning run to second in the bottom half of the inning but could not come up with the clutch hit.
EMU posted its game-winning runs in the top of the 10th on a two-out, two-run blast to right. What looked to be a routine fly ball got carried out by a gusting wind and the ball made its way just beyond the fence.
Miami starting pitcher Shane Smith was magnificent in eight innings of work. He allowed just four hits and was responsible for three earned runs. Smith set the Eagles down in order for five consecutive innings from the third to the seventh. Nick Ernst (L, 1-1) was the only other RedHawk to take the mound on Friday. He tossed two innings in relief and was charged with the final three runs and was handed the loss as a result.
The two teams continue the series on Saturday with a 6 p.m. first pitch.
