AVON, Ohio – It was a pitcher's duel to open the Mid-American Conference Tournament between the fourth seeded Miami University baseball team and fifth seed Northern Illinois on Wednesday, but the Huskies broke through for three runs in the sixth inning as they took a 4-0 win. Miami is now 36-18 on the season, while NIU is 19-34.

Senior pitcher Shane Smith was fantastic for the RedHawks in his first start of the season. He held Northern Illinois without a run over the first five innings. After getting the first two on in the top of the sixth, the Huskies moved the runners over on a sac bunt. A wild pitch score the first run, while a squeeze bunt made it 2-0. NIU was able to get a third run on a single, but the runner was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double.

Smith settled down once again after that, as the Huskies were able to score only one more unearned run after a Miami error in the eighth. Smith finished the game allowing only four hits and three earned runs in a season-high 7.2 innings pitched. He struck out six.

Meanwhile Northern Illinois starter Michael Lasiewicz was able to keep the RedHawks at bay throughout the game. He finished a complete game and only allowed hits to sophomore center fielder Cristian Tejada and redshirt freshman Reid Norberg.

Miami now will play an elimination game on Thursday against third seed Kent State, which dropped a 7-3 decision to Ohio in its opening game on Wednesday. First pitch is at 10 a.m. and it will air live on ESPN+.