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'Hawks soar over Eastern Michigan

Junior outfielder Zak Hatfield leads the locker room in most RBI's and most home runs.
Junior outfielder Zak Hatfield leads the locker room in most RBI's and most home runs.

Alex Butler

Junior outfielder Zak Hatfield leads the locker room in most RBI's and most home runs.

With a storm looming over McKie Field, the Miami University baseball team (12-10) electrified the Eastern Michigan University Eagles (4-21) Saturday. The 7-5 victory wrapped up a series sweep of the Eagles and prolonged the 'Hawks four game winning streak.

The 'Hawks handled a busy Friday, winning 15-1 and 12-2 against the Eagles as part of a double header. The "lightening in a bottle" offensive output enabled them to relax on the mound and focus defensively.

"For the most part we've been hitting pretty well," head coach Dan Simonds said. "It's nice to be home, I'm not going to lie. We have a couple of guys who are getting more at bats and improving every time. I think it (momentum) helps. We still got to improve on some things, no question, but it was a big weekend."

The RedHawks found stability on the mound Saturday. Junior flamethrower Reece Asbury pitched seven quality innings of ball, fanning five Eagle batters, only allowing four hits and one unearned run. Ashbury's performance was one of the best yet for the Miami pitching staff.

"I went in there, and I just tried to execute pitches and get the ball down," Asbury said. "I had a lot of help from other guys and a few double plays in the game that really helped out and again our guys brought the stick. So good game, I think it's big."

Despite an unfavorable forecast, scorching RedHawk bats early on in the contest warmed up those in attendance. After EMU took the lead in the first during a double play, the Louisville Slugger toting 'Hawks came out swinging.

Sophomore Adam Eaton singled to left in the second to tie the game at 1-1. Third baseman Jordan Petraitis followed with a single to center to pull ahead of the Eagles. The duo then vandalized the base paths with Petraitis snatching second and Eaton dashing for home, putting the 'Hawks up 3-1 early on.

Asbury reeled off six scoreless innings before the 'Hawks brought out the lumber in the seventh. Catcher Eric Darlage made excellent contact for a leadoff double then sprinted to third on a sacrifice bunt. Darlage then came in to score on a failed pickoff attempt resulting in an Eagle error. Eaton then tore the threads off of a ball, hammering it over the left field wall for a two-run shot, and extending the lead to 7-1.

"A lot of teams don't want to face our lineup," Eaton said. "One through nine. As a pitcher coming in you don't want to face the second guy, third guy, fourth guy. We have an extremely solid lineup: guys with power and speed. It's a really good lineup to hit for and also just to watch."

The Eagles finally showed up in the top of the eighth inning. Spurred by a Miami bulk, which negated a lineout that would have sent the Red and White back to the dugout, an Eagle rally began. After some clutch two out offense and shaky relief pitching the score was 7-4. Miami escaped the inning and only allowed a run in the ninth to capture its first sweep of the season. The three wins skyrocketed them to third place in the MAC East with a 3-3 record.

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"To take three back and even out in the MAC is really big for us and gives us momentum moving on," Asbury said. "Coach has done a real good job keeping us focused."

The RedHawks will travel to Richmond, Ky. Tuesday, and take a shot at extending their success against the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels.


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