CINCINNATI – The Miami University baseball team built a four-run lead early, but the middle innings proved to its undoing as Cincinnati took a 15-5 victory on Tuesday. The RedHawks fall to 29-7 overall, while the Bearcats improve to 17-19.
Miami got things going with two runs in the top of the second. Redshirt junior third baseman
Jordan Stephens led off with a walk. After an out was recorded, junior designated hitter
Cal Elvers drew a walk. A single to center by redshirt freshman first baseman
Reid Norberg scored Stephens and put the 'Hawks on the board. Sophomore catcher
Nate Stolze was hit by a pitch to load the bases, while sophomore right fielder
Parker Massman was also hit, forcing home Elvers and making it 2-0.
After Cincinnati got one back in the bottom half of the second, Miami scored two more in the top of the third. Junior shortstop
Will Vogelgesang led off with his first home run of the season over the right field wall. Junior second baseman
Landon Stephens followed with a double to left field. After
Jordan Stephens walked, a wild pitch moved each runner up a base. Redshirt junior left fielder
Kyle Winkler grounded out to shortstop to score
Landon Stephens and make it 4-1.
The RedHawks pushed the lead to 5-1 in the top of the fourth when sophomore center fielder
Cristian Tejada singled home Stolze.
Senior pitcher
Bailey Martin had been solid against UC over the first four innings, only allowing one run on three hits. However, the Bearcats got their offense going in the bottom of the fifth, using four hits and a walk to tie the score at five.
Free passes would be the story of the next two innings, as the Bearcats would score seven in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead and three more in the bottom of the seventh to put the game out of reach. The 'Hawks tied a season high by allowing 11 walks.
Norberg finished the game 2-for-4 with one RBI, while Tejada was 2-for-5 with one RBI.
Miami returns home this weekend for a key Mid-American Conference series against Ball State. Friday's contest is the annual Walter "Smokey" Alston game. First pitch is at 5 p.m. Saturday's game begins at 4 p.m., while Sunday's begins at 1 p.m.