MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Miami handed Central Michigan their first home conference win Friday, losing 4-3 after giving up four early runs.
Carson Byers pitched 7.2 innings in relief, entering after an injury in the first, and held CMU to five hits and two runs while striking out nine. The RedHawks fall to 20-18, (15-5 MAC) with the loss while CMU moves to 16-23 (8-9 MAC).
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- CMU took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, a rally that started with an HBP and two singles that loaded the bases. With one out, a single scored the first run of the game and a sac fly made it a two-run lead for the Chippewas.
- Central Michigan put up two runs yet again in the second. A batter singled and advanced on a wild pitch, and another single drove in a run. A double on the next at-bat made it a 4-0 Chippewa lead.
- Evan Appelwick drove in Miami's first run in the top of the fourth. Anthony Zarlingo doubled to left field and Appelwick fired off a single to make it 4-1.
- Miami pulled within one run in the top of the fifth, scoring twice on three hits. Blake Buzzeo reached first on a fielder's choice after Drew Phillips doubled. Dillon Baker singled to move Buzzeo to second, and Ty Batusich walked to load the bases. Zarlingo delivered a two-RBI single up the middle to make it 4-3.
- Byers struck out nine batters in innings three through eight and held the Chippewas at four runs. Ryan Novak hit a leadoff double in the top of the ninth, but Miami was unable to score.
MIAMI GAME NOTES:
- Zarlingo went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run.
- Byers faced 26 batters in 7.2 innings. He gave up two runs, five hits and struck out nine with 106 pitches.
UP NEXT: Miami will try and win the series against CMU tomorrow and extend their conference series win streak to eight. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.