A four-run fourth inning was just the catalyst Miami's offense needed to overcome Morehead State (3-17) for an 11-4 win in the rubbermatch of their three-game series Sunday afternoon in Morehead, Kentucky. Four different batters had multiple hits for the RedHawks (7-11) on Sunday, led by designated hitter Nate Bowles' three.
The RedHawks jumped on MSU starter Garrick Whittle for a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Shortstop Ryan Kaup and Bowles reached base with no outs and were driven in on a single by centerfielder Bryce Redeker and a groundout off the bat of firstbaseman Kyle Weldon. The Eagles made it a 2-1 game with an RBI single in the bottom of the second inning.
In the top of the third, Weldon hit a solo home run to give Miami its two-run lead back. But in the bottom of the inning, the Eagles used a trio of RBI singles to go in front for the first time at 4-3.
But the RedHawks came booming back and regained the lead for good in their very next turn. Secondbaseman Jon Edgington drove in two men with a one-out double, and then came in to score on Bowles double. Redeker then drove in the final run of the inning with a groundout that put Miami back on top 7-4.
Miami picked up three more runs in the seventh inning without even recording a hit. Weldon drew a walk to start the inning, and catcher Adam Weisenburger was hit by a pitch to move him up. After rightfielder Marcus Makuch flied out, leftfielder Bryan Beaver was hit by another pitch to load the bases. Thirdbaseman Brad Gschwind drew a walk to force in a run, and after a pitching change, Edgington was also hit by a pitch, pushing another run across the plate. Improbably, Kaup then became the fourth batter in the inning to take one for the team, giving Miami a 10-4 lead. They would add one more run in the eighth inning when Weldon and Weisenburger hit back-to-back doubles to start the inning,
Miami's starting pitcher, Seth Varner, didn't have a great day on the mound. He was chased with one out in the third inning with all four of MSU's runs (only three were earned) being charged to him. Brooks Fiala (1-2) came on and struck out six in 3 2/3 innings of shutout relief. After he allowed the first three batters to reach base in the seventh inning, he was replaced by Brandon Adkins, who allowed only one man to reach base on an error through the final three innings. He faced the minimum of nine batters, striking out four.
The RedHawks will get to enjoy a single day off on Monday before their next series. They will head to Richmond, Kentucky to face Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday, and then bring the Colonels (6-13) back to Oxford for the second game of their home-and-home series on Wednesday.
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