HOOVER, Ala. – The Miami University baseball team jumped to a big lead and then held on during a ninth inning rally to defeat Saint Louis, 9-7, and split the season-opening weekend series. Both teams are now 2-2 overall.

The game featured a strong season-opening pitching performance from junior Spencer Mraz. Mraz kept the Billikens hitless through 5.1 innings. Overall Mraz got the win, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing only two runs on two hits. He struck out eight.

Miami opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the second. Junior shortstop Will Vogelgesang led off with a walk, while freshman designated hitter Cole Andrews was hit by a pitch. Junior second baseman Colin Shepherd moved each of them up a base with a sacrifice bunt. A single to centerfield by sophomore catcher Nate Stolze brought home Vogelgesang. A single by senior leftfielder Mackay Williams loaded the bases. Sophomore centerfielder Cristian Tejada then drew a walk to force home Andrews and give the RedHawks a 2-0 advantage.

The Red and White made it 4-0 when junior first baseman Charlie Harrigan hit his first home run of the season to right field, which reached the bullpen area and also scored junior third baseman Landon Stephens.

After Saint Louis cut the deficit to two in the top of the sixth, a sac fly by Williams in the bottom half of the inning scored Shepherd and made it 5-2.

The RedHawks broke the game open with four runs in the bottom of the seventh. With runners on second and third and one out, an infield single by Vogelgesang scored Stephens. Redshirt junior Kyle Winkler came up to pinch hit and put down a squeeze but to score Harrigan. Vogelgesang and Winkler each stole a base, allowing Shepherd to single both of them home and make it 9-2.

Those runs proved to be important as the teams went to the top of the ninth. A light drizzle had been falling throughout the game, but it began to pick up at this point. Saint Louis took advantage of the slippery ball as it scored five runs on only two hits to pull within two at 9-7. However, senior pitcher Jon Meyerring came in and with two outs and runners on second and third, got the final out to secure the victory.

Harrigan finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Shepherd also had two RBI for the RedHawks.

Miami travels to Murray State for a three-game series next weekend. Friday's game is at 3 p.m. (EST). Saturday and Sunday's games will each begin at 2 p.m. (EST).