RedHawks baseball looking to take the next step in 2025 season

It’s almost time for the Miami University RedHawks baseball team to take the field for a new season.

Miami went 27-27 last season, a six-win improvement from 2023 and the first season with Brian Smiley as the manager after arriving from Indiana State University.

After defeating Kent State in the first round of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament, the RedHawks dropped games against Bowling Green and Toledo, ending their season.

Miami is looking to improve on that mark this season and compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament for the first time since 2005. To do that, the RedHawks will need to rely on improvement from their pitching staff, especially early in the season.

“I think early in the year, no matter where you’re at, usually pitching is a little bit ahead of hitting until those hitters get 25, 30, 40 at-bats under their belts,” Smiley said. “So our pitchers will have to carry us here early.”

Smiley said he is confident in the pitching staff’s depth and believes he has multiple options to match up with different lineup combinations and situations.

On the offensive end, Smiley is looking for versatility and speed.

“Positionally, we have some hitters that are versatile, not locked into one position and can do some things on the bases,” Smiley said. “The hope is that we can score in different ways.”

One player who will be a mainstay and key contributor to the lineup this season is senior Ty Batusich.

Batusich, who spent his first two seasons at Western Kentucky University, was one of the key contributors to Miami’s lineup in his first outing with the RedHawks despite dealing with an impactful injury.

“He played the entire year last year on almost a broken ankle,” Smiley said. “He had a high ankle sprain, a severe one. And I think a lot of guys would have probably taken a red shirt. He just wanted to play, he couldn’t really run, but he could hit, and he still put up numbers.”

And that he did; Batusich led the RedHawks in at-bats, hits and doubles in his first season with the team last season.

Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter

Now, with a complete offseason to get fully healthy, Batusich will look to provide stability and leadership to a young lineup looking to take the next step.

Batusich is just one of many players who are coming back healthy despite injuries last season. Pitcher Cole Pauley, who transferred from The Ohio State University before last season, was injured just before the start of the season.

“He had arm surgery right before the season opened,” Smiley said. “Now he’s back throwing to live hitters, and we expect to get him back here in another month or so in games.”

Another player coming back this season is utility player Tommy Harrison. The junior underwent knee surgery just before the season opener last year, causing him to miss the entire season. Smiley added that he can contribute as a catcher and outfielder and is a left-handed power bat that should contribute offensively.

Adding those pieces back into the fold provides the RedHawks with more options in both the lineup and pitching staff. As for the players coming back, it provides an opportunity to continue to play Division I baseball.

“I’m excited for guys that have an opportunity to come back, that have gone through the rehab process, which is grueling, both physically and mentally,” Smiley said. “I’m just excited to see these guys and happy that those guys are healthy and that they’ve made it through.”

Miami will have a chance to prove themselves when the season starts on Feb. 14. The RedHawks will travel down to Charleston, South Carolina to take on the Charleston Southern University Buccaneers and The Citadel Bulldogs over the weekend.

The RedHawks will open their home schedule on Feb. 25, when they take on the Wright State University Raiders. The conference slate begins on March 7, where the RedHawks take on the University of Toledo Rockets.

mill2361@miamioh.edu