OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University baseball team scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth and got the tying run to third base, but was unable to complete the comeback in a 3-2 setback to Ball State on Saturday. This game was the completion of Friday's suspended contest. The RedHawks are now 29-8 overall and 10-3 in the Mid-American Conference. The Cardinals are 24-13 overall and 8-3 in the MAC.
The game resumed with a 0-0 score in the top of the sixth. Ball State had a runner on third and two outs, while their batter faced a 1-2 count as senior pitcher
Shane Smith came into the game in relief of starting pitcher, freshman
Sam Bachman. After a few foul balls he was able to get the strikeout (which is credited to Bachman) and end the threat.
The Cardinals used a pair of RedHawk errors and a well-placed bunt to strike first in the top of the seventh. With two outs, a single through the right side brought home two insurance runs and made it 3-0.
Miami did not go quietly in the bottom of the ninth. Junior second baseman
Landon Stephens led off with a single. A groundout moved him to second. Redshirt junior left fielder
Kyle Winkler drew a walk. Both Stephens and Winkler moved up on a wild pitch. Junior catcher
Cal Elvers drew a walk to load the bases. He was replaced by a pinch-runner, freshman
Steve Hamer.
Cole Andrews followed with a RBI fielder's choice groundout. Winkler was retired at third, while Stephens came around to give the RedHawks their first run. Redshirt freshman first baseman
Reid Norberg hit a single up the middle that scored Hamer, cut the deficit to one and put the tying run on third base. Unfortunately the comeback was not meant to be as Ball State got the game ending groundout to finish the 3-2 victory.
Bachman ended up getting credit for 6.0 innings of no-hit ball. He struck out eight. The RedHawks only gave up two hits the entire game.
Due to the weather, the remainder of the series will now be played on Sunday as a doubleheader. First pitch is at noon. Game two will take place 45 minutes after the conclusion of the early contest.