After winning both games of their Friday doubleheader against Buffalo (12-36, 2-21), the RedHawks (31-21, 17-7) capped the final home weekend of the season with an 8-2 victory, completing the three-game series sweep. Four 'Hawks collected two hits apiece, while the team tallied 12 as a whole. Brooks Fiala (6-4) pitched seven innings for the win, allowing two unearned runs.
The RedHawks were first to score, as they loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the third. Thirdbaseman Brad Gschwind grounded into a fielder's choice that allowed leftfielder Marcus Makuch to score the first run of the day. But the Bulls went in front two innings later. A leadoff double was followed by two quick outs, but then a fielding error by shortstop Ryan Kaup kept the inning alive and allowed the tying run to score. The next batter singled in another run for a 2-1 Buffalo lead.
Miami responded in the bottom of the same frame with two runs for the good guys. With one away, centerfielder Ryan Brenner, secondbaseman Jon Edgington and Gschwind hit back-to-back-to-back singles to tie the game back up. Then firstbaseman Kyle Weldon hit a deep sac fly that brought in Edgington and put Miami back in front for good.
The 'Hawks had a big seventh inning, scoring four times with two outs to take control of the game. Edgington and Gschwind both singled with one out, and after out #2 was recorded, catcher Adam Weisenburger and designated hitter Kevin Bower joined the hit parade with RBI singles of their own. Rightfielder Bryce Redeker drove in the next two runs with a double, but got greedy and was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple, ending the inning.
One more run was added in the eighth, when Kaup doubled in rightfielder Ryan Curl, who had led off the inning with a walk. Matt Rosinski, Ryan Campbell and Sam Dawes combined to shut out the Bulls over the final two innings in relief of Fiala's superb performance.
Miami is now 2 1/2 games behind Kent State for the top conference record, and first place in the MAC East Division. The Golden Flashes can clinch at least a share of the conference title if they complete their three-game sweep over Bowling Green (18-28, 10-13) on Sunday, or win just one game in their regular season finale next weekend against Akron (14-33, 6-16). Similarly, if Miami loses even one game to Ohio University (22-26, 7-15) next weekend, Kent will claim the title.
The RedHawks will play their final home game of the season Tuesday, when they will make attempt to play Xavier (27-23) once more. This will be the third time we try to play this particular contest, as Mother Nature seems determined that it should not happen. The 'Hawks and Musketeers have already played each other three times this season. Xavier picked up a 4-1 win at the Russ Matt Invitational on March 10 and then won a 3-2 decision five days later in Mason. The 'Hawks finally managed to beat Xavier with a 10-2 drumming April 13 in Cincinnati.
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