MUNCIE, Ind. – The RedHawks won the MAC regular-season title Saturday in an eight-inning 26-16 slug fest over Ball State. Six different RedHawks hit home runs during the contest. Miami improves to 32-21 (23-7 MAC) while the Cardinals fall to 35-20 (21-9 MAC). It is Miami's first MAC regular-season title since 2005. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Miami jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the top of the second. With one out, Dominic Krupinski walked and advanced to third as Ty Batusich singled. Tommy Harrison drove in the first run of the ballgame with a double down the left field line to make it 1-0. Blake Buzzeo followed Harrison with a three-run home run to left-center, extending the lead to 4-0.
• Dillon Baker and Ryan Novak continued the hitting streak with back-to-back singles. Evan Appelwick drove both runners in with a single to left to make it 6-0 and prompted Ball State's second pitching change of the day. 
• David Novak walked and Krupinski reached on a fielder's choice in his second at-bat of the inning, scoring one to make it 7-0.
• The Cardinals put up three runs of their own in the bottom of the second, tightening the score, 7-3.
• Miami had yet another seven-run inning in the third. Dillon Baker walked with two outs and Ryan Novak homered to right field to make it 9-3. Anthony Zarlingo and Appelwick each singled, setting David Novak up for an RBI single to right. 
• Krupinski walked to load the bases. Batusich delivered a double to center field, putting Miami up ten runs at 13-3. Harrison singled up the middle to score Batusich and make it 14-3.
• Ball State responded with a six-run inning in the bottom of the third, capitalizing on five hits to make it a 14-9 ballgame.
• The RedHawks added two insurance runs in the fourth. Baker led off with a home run to left field. Zarlingo and Appelwick each walked and David Novak singled to make it 16-9 in favor of Miami.
• Ball State matched Miami's two runs in the bottom of the fourth, reigning the lead back to five runs.
• In the top of the sixth, Appelwick led off with a single. Krupinski homered down the right field line to stretch the lead to 18-1.
• The Cardinals earned three runs in the bottom of the sixth via a three-run home run.
• Krupisnki and Harrison collectively drove in four more runs for the RedHawks in the seventh. Zarlingo walked and Novak singled to set up Krupinski for an RBI double. Harrison cleared the bases with a three-run home run to right field.
• Ball State made it 22-15 with a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh.
• The RedHawks' final four runs came in the eighth. Ryan Novak started the base running with an HBP and Zarlingo walked. Appelwick homered to right field to put Miami at 25 runs. 
• David Novak walked and Krupinski took an HBP. Batusich drove in the final Miami run with a single to make it 26-15.
• The Cardinals scored one run in the bottom of the eighth to end the inning down 26-16. This employed the run rule and gave Miami the win.

MIAMI GAME NOTES:

• Evan Appelwick passed Michael Carlin for the most RBIs recorded in a season (69)
• Baker went 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs
• Ryan Novak went 2-for-6 with two RBI and three runs
• Zarlingo went 2-for-4 with five runs and three walks
• Appelwick went 4-for-6 with five RBI and three runs
• David Novak went 3-for-5 with two RBI, two walks, and three runs
• Krupinski went 3-for-4 with four RBI, two walks, and four runs
• Batusich went 3-for-6 with four RBI and two runs
• Harrison went 4-for-6 with five RBI and two runs
• Buzzeo had three RBI and a home run

UP NEXT:
Miami has clinched the number one seed and a first-round bye in the MAC Tournament in Avon, Ohio. They begin tournament play on Thursday, May 22 at 2 p.m.