OXFORD, Ohio— Dillon Baker hit two home runs and the Miami University baseball team edged out East Tennessee State University 7-6 Friday afternoon in non-conference action. Miami moves to 26-24 with the win, while the Buccaneers fall to 33-18.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- After ETSU struck first with a pair of runs in the first inning, the RedHawks responded in the bottom half of the frame. Ty Batusich reached on a two-out error, and cleanup hitter Evan Appelwick blasted a home run to left center to even the score at 2-2.
- The Buccaneers reclaimed the lead in the top of the third on back-to-back RBI doubles, making it 4-2.
- Later in the third inning, Baker ripped a solo shot off the scoreboard in left-center field to pull the Red and White within 4-3.
- Miami took its first lead in the fourth inning. Consecutive singles by Ryan Novak, David Novak and Blake Buzzeo tied things up at 4-4. After David Novak came around to score on a ground ball, Baker homered for the second straight inning to give Miami a 6-4 advantage.
- The RedHawks added a run in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a one-out error by ETSU's third baseman. Appelwick then moved to second base on a Ryland Zaborowski single before Ryan Novak brought him home with a ground-rule double to right.
- Peyton Olejnik sent three down on strikes to get the RedHawks out of the top of the sixth with no damage.
- After a walk and a single, ETSU sent one run across with an RBI single to make it 7-5.
- After back-to-back singles in the top of the ninth, the Buccaneers hit into a double play that scored one run and brought them within one run. They tripled and walked on the next two at bats, but Carson Byers managed to record a strikeout for the third out to cut the rally short.
GAME NOTES:
- Baker hit his fourth and fifth homers of the year, batting 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs.
- Appelwick was 2-for-3 at the plate, including his ninth homer of the season, two RBIs and two runs.
- Ryan Novak went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run.
UP NEXT:
The RedHawks conclude the regular season Saturday against ETSU, with first pitch set for 11 a.m. Check MiamiRedHawks.com for the latest schedule information.