BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Miami University baseball team broke open a tight game with eight runs in the final three innings as it took down Bowling Green, 12-4, to open a three-game series on Friday. The RedHawks improve to 27-6 overall and 8-2 in the Mid-American Conference. The Falcons fall to 12-17 overall and 5-5 in the MAC.

Miami got on the board first with single runs in each of the first two innings. In the top of the first, junior third baseman Landon Stephens slid into second before the tag of the base on a grounder by redshirt junior left fielder Kyle Winkler. That allowed sophomore center fielder Cristian Tejada to score. Sophomore right fielder Parker Massman added one more in the top of the second with his third home run of the season.

With two outs in the top of the fourth, Tejada doubled to left field. A single from junior shortstop Will Vogelgesang brought him home. Landon Stephens followed with a single of his own to score Vogelgesang and make it 4-0.

The Falcons got one back off of freshman starting pitcher Sam Bachman in the bottom of the fourth to make it 4-1. It stayed that way until the bottom of the sixth, when BGSU recorded four hits and the 'Hawks committed an error allowing Bowling Green to tie the score at four.

In the top of the seventh, Miami went right back in front. Winkler led off with a triple to center field. Freshman designated hitter Cole Andrews grounded out, allowing him to score. One batter later, junior catcher Cal Elvers hit his third home run of the season, a solo shot that made it 6-4.

In the top of the eighth, the RedHawks made it 7-4 when a sac fly from Winkler scored Vogelgesang.

Miami put the contest out of reach with five runs in the top of the ninth. With the bases loaded and no one out, Landon Stephens drew a walk to force home Massman. A single through the left side by redshirt junior second baseman Jordan Stephens scored Tejada and Vogelgesang to bring the score to 10-4. Andrews' sac fly brought home Landon Stephens, while a single to left field by Elvers scored Jordan Stephens and capped the rally.

While the RedHawks were breaking things open in final three innings, senior pitcher Shane Smith shut the Falcons down. After coming in and getting the final two outs in the bottom of the sixth to prevent BGSU from taking the lead, he would keep it off the board the rest of the way. Smith allowed zero runs on four hits and struck out six in 3.2 innings pitched to earn the victory.

Tejada finished the game 4-for-5 with three runs scored. Landon Stephens was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and one run scored, while Winkler was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and one run scored. Jordan Stephens and Elvers each also had two RBIs for the RedHawks.

Due to expected inclement weather on Sunday, Miami will now conclude the series with Bowling Green with a doubleheader on Saturday. Game one will begin at 12:05 p.m., with the nightcap following 30 minutes after the conclusion of first game's conclusion.