RedHawks Take Ninth Straight, Defeat KSU 4-3

Friday, May 3

Kent, Ohio

12 p.m.

Miami University

24-19, 0

Kent State University

22-22, 0

MIAMI (OH)

Kent State Baseball

RedHawks Take Ninth Straight, Defeat KSU 4-3

5/3/2024 5:17:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

KENT, Ohio— Miami took game one from Kent State 4-3 Friday, marking their ninth consecutive win. A home run by centerfielder Zach MacDonald and three hitless innings by leftie Luke Ross gave the RedHawks the edge. The RedHawks move to 23-19 (15-10 MAC) with the victory, while Kent State falls to 22-22 (12-10 MAC) with the loss.

HOW IT HAPPENED

In the bottom of the first, Kent State's Tim Orr singled and was followed by Kyle Jackson, who singled to advance Orr to third and then stole second. A walk loaded the bases, and a wild pitch gave Kent State a 1-0 lead. A sacrifice groundout brought one more run across to double the lead to 2-0 after one inning.
The Golden Flashes struck again in the second with a leadoff home run by catcher Dom Kibler that put Kent State up 3-0 and constituted their last run of the day.
Dillon Baker led off for Miami in the top of the sixth and came up with Miami's second hit of the day, a single up the middle. MacDonald followed up with his 17th home run of the season to bring Miami within one.
Coming out of the bullpen, Ross threw three straight outs, including a looking strikeout in the bottom of the sixth.
Tré Keels reached first on a fielder's choice in the seventh and proceeded to steal both second and third while the next batter, Tyler Gordon, was at the plate. Gordon's at-bat lasted for 10 pitches and resulted in a walk. Ball four was a wild pitch, and Keels came in to score, tying the game at three apiece.
Baker then singled through the right side and advanced Gordon to third base. MacDonald singled to drive Gordon home and give Miami the lead at 4-3.
Ross once again managed not to give up any hits or runs in the seventh, despite two initial walks. Baker, Gordon and Evan Appelwick turned a double play to assist with the feat. Ross faced three and sent down three in the eighth using a groundout and a pair of swinging strikeouts.
Peyton Olejnik came in in the ninth, notching the save after one groundout and two strikeouts.

MIAMI GAME NOTES

MacDonald went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a home run.
Baker went 2-for-4 with one run.
Lukas Galdoni faced 20 batters in 5.0 innings, giving up four hits and three runs and recording three strikeouts.
Ross faced 10 batters in 3.0 innings, giving up no hits and no runs and recording three strikeouts.
Olejnik faced three batters in 1.0 innings, giving up no hits and no runs and recording two strikeouts.

UP NEXT:
Tomorrow's game has been moved to 12 p.m. due to weather concerns. Miami will look to clinch the series victory and extend their win streak to double digits.