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Miami University defeated Western Michigan University 5-4 Saturday evening at home, winning one out of their three game series against the Broncos.
"In our preparation for a conference weekend we try to practice a lot of situational stuff, just doing a lot of things we knew we would need to do to win a ball game," head coach Dan Simonds said. "These guys know what they need to do, and they need to either get a big hit or get guys on base to make things happen."
Western Michigan started the game off ahead with a 1-0 lead at the top of the first inning. Bronco infielder Max Kelmigian hit an RBI, allowing catcher Chris Lewis to score. WMU continued to get ahead when they scored again at the top of the third. Infielder Matthew Abro hit a homerun over the left fence allowing Kelmigian and him to score, putting WMU up with 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth inning the RedHawks made a comeback. Senior infielder Evan Armitage hit a triple into right field platting junior catcher Josh Hula and freshman outfielder Adam Eaton. An error by the Broncos got Armitage to home plate, tying the game 3-3.
"We were having some trouble today, hitting-wise, and I think it just sparked us a bit," Armitage said about his triple. "(The game) started off a little bit slow, but we came up with a couple of clutch hits when we needed to."
Western Michigan went ahead again at the top of the sixth when infielder Kyle Gendron was walked, allowing Kelmigian to score again, making the score 4-3. Miami, however, fought back at the bottom of the sixth. Miami had players on second and third base. With a ground hit, junior catcher Eric Darlage was able to score, tying the game again, this time at 4-4.
"It was just a situation where we knew we were going to get to their guys," senior pitcher Chris Niro said. "We were just trying to keep our team in the game, get our offense going, and we finally got it."
The score was 4-4 with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Junior infielder Tommy Nurre went up to bat and was walked, allowing Evan Armitage to score, giving the RedHawks a 5-4.
"In that last inning we drew some walks, got some men on base, and we ended up winning that game," Armitage said. "It was great."
The win served as a huge confidence booster for the team, who has struggled thus far in close games. Miami had lost seven one-run games prior to Saturday.
"They realized that it has just been frustrating for this team because we have fallen short and we have lost a lot of close games," Simonds said. "We need something to get some momentum, and we need know that we can do it. I think a game like this certain helps."
Nurre was the only RedHawk to get multiple hits during the game. Freshman pitcher Samuel Dawes pitched 1.3 innings while giving up zero runs and zero hits.
"I think it went very well," Niro said. "We wanted to get a good win and that was definitely a big way to win it at the bottom of the ninth. It's huge for us and gets some momentum going for the rest of the MAC season."
After finishing the series with a loss on Sunday the 'Hawks are 7-20 this season and 2-7 in the Mid-Atlantic Conference. The 'Hawks have two match-ups this week at home. Tonight, the team plays the University of Cincinnati at 6 p.m., and Indiana University comes to town Wednesday for a 6 p.m. game.
