CINCINNATI – The Miami University baseball team had to overcome a late Cincinnati rally, but four runs in the top of the 11th inning led the RedHawks to their third straight Joe Nuxhall Classic Tournament Championship with a 12-8 win on Wednesday. Miami improves to 26-6 on the season, while the Bearcats fall to 14-18.

Senior pitcher Cole Gnetz was named the Tournament MVP after coming in with the game tied and throwing the final three innings. He allowed no runs and only two hits, while striking out seven to keep the Bearcats off the board until the Red and White were able to get their runs in the 11th.

The game started as a pitchers' duel as the RedHawks did not have a hit in the first three innings. Miami would then begin to build a lead, starting with three runs in the top of the fourth. A double to right center by redshirt junior second baseman Jordan Stephens brought in junior shortstop Will Vogelgesang and broke the scoreless tie. After freshman designated hitter Cole Andrews hit a single, a single to right center by redshirt freshman Reid Norberg scored Vogelgesang. Senior left fielder Mackay Williams followed with a base hit of his own to bring home Andrews and make it 3-0.

Miami got three more in the top of the sixth. With one out, Andrews doubled to left center and got to third on an error. Norberg then singled him home. Norberg stole second base and got to third off a Williams hit. After sophomore catcher Nate Stolze walked to load the bases, a single to left field by sophomore center fielder Cristian Tejada brought home Norberg and Williams to make it 6-0.

Meanwhile, senior pitcher Bailey Martin was strong on the mound in keeping the Bearcats off the board. They were able to score one run in the bottom of the sixth after a Miami fielding error. Martin finished the game throwing 6.0 innings, allowing zero earned runs on six hits. He struck out nine.

The Bearcats were able to close the gap further with three runs in the bottom of the seventh to make it 6-4.

Miami got what would turn out to be a crucial couple of runs in the top of the eighth when sophomore right fielder Parker Massman blasted his second home run of the season over the left field wall to make it 8-4. It was that important because the Bearcats answered with four runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie the score.

Miami was unable to score in either the ninth or the 10th inning, but Gnetz came out and was able to keep the Bearcats off the board by striking out the side in both bottom halves. UC got a runner to third in the bottom of the 10th, but Gnetz got the next batter swinging.

In the top of the 11th, the RedHawks had the bases empty and two outs. Vogelgesang started the rally with a single to center field. Junior third baseman Landon Stephens followed with a single of his own. Both runners then stole a base to move them both into scoring position. Jordan Stephens singled through the right side to score two and break the tie. After Jordan Stephens stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher, junior designated hitter Colin Shepherd scored him with a single. A double by Norberg brought Shepherd home and made it 12-8.

In the bottom of the 11th, Gnetz got another strikeout and worked around a two-out base hit to help secure the Nuxhall title for Miami.

Jordan Stephens finished the game 3-for-6 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Norberg was 3-for-5 with three RBIs and one run scored. Andrews finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Vogelgesang, Williams and Jordan Stephens each had two base hits for the RedHawks, who finished with a season-high 17 hits. The game took four hours and 14 minutes to complete.

Miami returns to action this weekend as it travels to Bowling Green for a three-game set. Friday's game begins at 3:05 p.m. Saturday and Sunday's contests each start at 1:05 p.m.