OXFORD, Ohio – The Northern Illinois Huskies scored four early runs and then hung on to defeat the Miami University baseball team, 6-3, in the middle game of their series on Saturday. The RedHawks are now 31-11 overall and 12-5 in the Mid-American Conference. The Huskies are 13-29 overall and 9-8 in the MAC.

NIU scored three runs in the top of the first. It made it 4-0 in the top of the second when it scored off of a Miami error.

The RedHawks settled down from there as junior pitcher Spencer Mraz and senior pitcher Shane Smith combined to keep the Huskies off the board for the next six innings.

Miami began its comeback attempt in the bottom of the sixth. Sophomore Cristian Tejada led off and was hit by a pitch. Junior shortstop Will Vogelgesang singled through the left side. Junior second baseman Landon Stephens hit a towering shot to left center for a triple, scoring both Tejada and Vogelgesang. One batter later, a single by redshirt junior left fielder Kyle Winkler brought home Stephens and made it 4-3.

It stayed that way until the top of the ninth when a hit and a throwing error led to two NIU runs and a 6-3 deficit. Miami would get the tying run to the plate in the bottom have of the inning, but was unable to score.

Stephens finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBIs and one run scored. Redshirt junior third baseman Jordan Stephens and sophomore center fielder Parker Massman each had two hits for the RedHawks.

Miami concludes it series against Northern Illinois on Sunday. First pitch is at 1 p.m. and it will air on RedHawks All-Access for those who have a subscription.