The RedHawks dominated both on the mound and at the plate, shutting out Western Michigan 9-0 Friday afternoon in Oxford. Miami (18-17, 6-4) pounded out 15 hits, including four by designated hitter Kevin Bower, while four other players also had multi-hit performances. Mac Thoreson and Joe Neff combined to shut down the Broncos (17-17, 6-4) on just four hits.
Miami got its first run in the bottom of the second inning. Catcher Adam Weisenburger was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and then stole second base to get into scoring position. It was the shortstop Ryan Kaup who drove him in with an RBI single.
The RedHawks blew the game open with a four-run fourth inning. Weisenburger and Bower led off the inning with back-to-back singles, and then Kaup drew a one-out walk to load the bases. Secondbaseman Jon Edgington plated Weisenburger with a sac fly and then centerfielder Ryan Brenner reached on an infield single to reload the bases. The thirdbaseman, Brad Gschwind, drew a walk to force in a second run before rightfielder Bryce Redeker singled into right field for a two run base hit that put the 'Hawks up 5-0.
Redeker crushed a two-run home run to left field in the sixth inning to make it a 7-0 game. It was his fourth homer of the season. The final two runs came in the eighth, starting with a leadoff solo home run by Gschwind, his second jack of the season. The firstbaseman, Kyle Weldon, came through with a one-out triple and eventually score on a wild pitch to end the scoring.
Thoreson pitched a great game, but had to leave before the start of the fifth inning due to a sore hamstring. He walked one batter while allowing just two hits. Neff (2-1) came on to pitch the final five innings, striking out six batters while surrendering one walk and two hits, both of them singles.
The 'Hawks and Broncos will continue their three-game series Saturday and Sunday in Oxford, weather permitting.
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