< Back | Home

Senior Brandon Hillier tallies one of his four hits during Wednesday's win over Xavier. Hillier came up just a home run short of the cycle.

Baseball gets first win at home with 9-5 victory over Xavier

By: Kevin Jacobs

Posted: 3/23/07

Senior center fielder Brandon Hillier must have been seeing the ball just a little bit better than everyone else on a windy Wednesday afternoon at McKie Baseball Field at Hayden Park, leading the RedHawks to a 9-5 victory over Xavier University.

Hillier had a big day at the plate, going 4-5 with two singles, a double, a triple and three runs scored to lead the way for Miami University.

Hillier joked about the chance of him hitting for the cycle.

"No, I'm not a homerun hitter," Hillier said. "I was just looking to put in a good at bat. It was the last thing on my mind."

Yet Hillier's teammates felt his performance was quite noteworthy, as they named him player of the game.

After a disappointing 14-inning loss to Indiana State in the 'Hawks home opener Tuesday, they looking for some redemption and were able to get the hits that mattered.

"Our energy level was low today," Head Coach Dan Simonds said. "We played solid, but it was definitely not one of our best games. We're like a racehorse; we need to hit our stride, which we haven't yet."

Although the team might not been as solid as it could have been, the players did collaborate for a total of nine runs on 12 hits for the win.

Throughout the game, all aspects of the 'Hawks offense was clicking, enabling them to tally at least one run in every inning, except the sixth.

It was sophomore Chris Nadeau who opened the scoring for Miami with a two-run single in the first inning, scoring Hillier and freshman Gary King.

Drew Roberts, the Xavier designated hitter, answered back quickly, with a solo homerun in the first at bat of the second inning. The 'Hawks were able to return to the dugout with the score still 2-1, and looked to extend their lead. With the help of Hillier's single and sophomore Jordan Petraitis' two RBI double, the 'Hawks jumped out to a 4-1 lead.

Miami kept applying the pressure in the third inning when sophomore Eric Darlage ripped a low pitch from Xavier starting pitcher Dan Graham off the wall for a triple. The triple plated senior Jeff Carroll, and put Miami up four runs.

However in the next half inning, Xavier would answer right back. The Musketeers were able to get their leadoff man on base with a single up the middle, and Miami starter Robert Shannon walked the next batter, to put runners on first and second with no outs.

Shannon showed great determination after falling behind the third batter of the inning and was able to induce a pop fly.

Things were looking good for Miami as a possible double-play ball was grounded toward Miami shortstop Petraitis, but he was unable handle the ball. The error enabled a runner to score, and the others to advance to first and third. RedHawk freshman Chase Stewart relieved Shannon and was able to hold Xavier, to only a sacrifice bunt for another run.

Hillier would put the 'Hawks up four runs again, scoring on a Petraitis sacrifice fly after he tripled to deep center. Hillier made it easily to third base as the ball careened over the head of Xavier sophomore Adam Pasono, who looked confounded as he twisted and turned trying find the ball.

Miami and Xavier each added another run in the fifth inning off the bats of Miami sophomore Josh Hula and Xavier senior Adam Lipski respectively, and the 'Hawks led 7-4.

After the sixth inning - the only inning that saw no scoring - Miami pitchers Matt Erwood, Jamaal Hollis, Steve Antoniotti and Brandon Meister came out of the bullpen the last three innings giving up a combined three hits and one run.

Miami's last two runs came on a single from junior Evan Armitage in the seventh inning and a double by Petraitis in the eighth. Xavier looked threatening with runners on the corners and no outs in the ninth inning, but the Miami defense was able to hold strong.

Lipski was able to hit a sacrifice fly off of Antoniotti, but Meister was able to come in and induce two fly balls for the final two outs of the game.

"We had a couple miscues and tough conditions with the wind, but our defense was good," Simonds said.

Miami ended the day with an 8-9 record on the season, and look forward to their Mid-American Conference series season opener Friday against Toledo. Friday's game is slated to start at 6:30 p.m., Saturday's game at 5 p.m. and Sunday's series finale at 1 p.m.