OXFORD, Ohio – A strong pitching performance and some timely hits helped lead the Miami University baseball team to a 5-1 win in its series opener against Ohio on Friday. The RedHawks improve to 33-12 on the season and 13-6 in the Mid-American Conference. The Bobcats fall to 15-27 overall and 9-10 in the MAC.

Freshman pitcher Sam Bachman went six strong innings for the Red and White, allowing only one unearned run after an error in the fourth inning. He struck out five and worked out of two bases loaded jams to improve his record to 7-0. Senior pitcher Shane Smith was perfect over the final three innings, retiring all nine batters he faced. That included getting four via strikeout to earn his fourth save of the season.

Miami got its first run in the top of the second inning. With one out, redshirt junior left fielder Kyle Winkler drew a walk. A groundout by junior catcher Cal Elvers moved him over to second base, while a single by senior right fielder Mackay Williams allowed Winkler to score.

The Bobcats tied it with that run in the fourth, but the RedHawks took the lead right back in the top of the fifth when a double down the left field line by sophomore designated hitter Cristian Tejada scored Williams.

Junior third baseman Landon Stephens provided a little bit of insurance when he doubled and then scored on a wild pitch in the sixth, and followed that with a mammoth home run, his fifth of the season, over the left field wall in the eighth to make it 4-1.

Miami got one more in the top of the ninth when a squeeze bunt by sophomore center fielder Parker Massman allowed Elvers to score.

Stephens finished the game 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Williams was 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.

The "Battle of the Bricks" series between Miami and Ohio continues Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.