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It was one of those games that players will never forget, and fans will always talk about.
With the score tied at 15 during Sunday's series finale against the Ball State Cardinals, and the bases loaded, junior Chris Niro proved to be the hero.
With two strikes, he lined the pitch off the centerfield wall for a walk-off RBI single. The win gave the RedHawks their ninth straight victory, and their second straight Mid-American Conference series sweep for the RedHawks.
The RedHawks, who were down nine runs in the fifth inning, fought back and completed the improbable comeback.
"Wow," Niro said, still out of breath. "That was one of the most unique games I've ever been a part of."
The win brought Miami's MAC record to a perfect 6-0, after victories Friday and Saturday.
The RedHawks opened the weekend Friday against the Cardinals, with junior John Ely getting the start. Ely pitched a solid eight innings, striking out seven batters, giving up four runs and winning his fourth game of the season. He was backed by Miami's potent offense, which provided him with 12 runs in support.
The game went back and fourth, with Ball State leading 4-3 in the fifth inning, until the 'Hawks exploded for seven runs to take the lead 10-4. The seven runs in the fifth inning were the most put up in one inning by Miami this season.
Miami's easy victory Friday was followed by a pitching duel between Miami's Connor Graham and Ball State's Tyler Pritchard Saturday. Graham pitched 6.2 innings, giving up just one run, five hits and three walks, while fanning eight batters.
With hits scarce, Miami looked to take advantage in the bottom of the seventh when sophomore Chris Nadeau was hit by a pitch. He was able to take second base when Pritchard balked, and sophomore Eric Darlage moved him to third with a sacrifice bunt. Carroll plated Nadeau with a sacrifice fly to centerfield, and the 'Hawks took a 2-1 lead.
Robert Oberschlake picked up the win - his third of the season - while Pratt notched his third save.
Things didn't start well for the RedHawks in the first inning Sunday, as Ball State scored seven runs in the opening frame. Miami pitcher Jeff Day recorded just one out before being pulled.
Six of the seven runs scored during the first inning were unearned as the Miami defense committed three errors in the first frame alone.
Miami's Brandon Hillier kept spirits alive, sending a home run over the right field wall leading off the bottom of the first inning.
Miami would decrease the Cardinal lead in the third inning, when Darlage tallied a two-run home run to straight away center field.
With Ball State leading 11-3, the crowd was getting restless and a comeback looked even less likely, even after sophomore Josh Hula whacked a solo-shot over the left field wall.
Whatever hope Hula's home run had given the Miami fans, was almost completely shattered when Ball State scored two more runs, increasing their lead 13-4.
The 'Hawks immediately began chipping away at their opponent's lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring five runs off a barrage of Miami hits, and trailed by just four.
The bottom of the seventh inning saw the Miami offense burst back to life, scoring four runs and found themselves trailing by just one, 15-14.
Even though it was the eighth inning, three hours into the game, the bleachers at Hayden Park remained full, and the fans made their presence felt.
The eighth inning provided some sparks, as Niro was involved in a very close play at first base. The umpire called Niro out, and that's when Head Coach Dan Simonds sprinted out to argue the call. Simonds lost the argument and lost his seat on the bench getting ejected from the game.
"Niro was definitely beyond the bag when the throw came in," Simonds said. "There's no question he was safe. I wanted to keep the guys in it, and help them get a win."
With two outs, Hillier stepped to the plate, lining a single to shallow center and would score on an Evan Armitage single, tying the game at 15.
The 'Hawks were able to keep the Cardinals scoreless in the top of the ninth inning, setting up the scene for a dramatic walk-off win.
Nadeau led off the inning with a walk, which would ultimately doom the Cardinals.
Looking to move the runner into scoring position, Darlage laid down a bunt attempt, but was able to reach base when the catcher attempted to throw out Eubank at second, and failed.
Sophomore Tommy Nurre moved them both over with a sacrifice bunt, and Mynhier was intentionally walked to load the bases. Niro came up to the plate with the bases loaded and laced the game-winning single into center field, giving Miami the 16-15 walk-off win.
"I was just looking for a pitch I could hit," Niro said. "It was a strike, and I was expecting something down. This win shows what a true championship team is made of."
Miami wound up using eight different pitchers during Sunday's offensive battle, with senior Bailey Pratt getting credit for the win.
Despite not getting to see the walk-off win, Simonds was very pleased with the way his team played.
"It was a hard, hard fought effort," Simonds said. "The guys kept playing and stayed in the game even when we were down by nine. Nadeau caught a home run; it was going over the wall."
