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.