Midseason review: Miami baseball team chases back-to-back MAC titles

The Miami University RedHawks baseball team loaded the bus without a sound. The RedHawks were headed to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, for yet another road series. They played 12-straight away games before playing their home opener at McKie Field.

After a go-ahead single and a sacrifice bunt gave the Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks a 4-2 lead in the eighth inning, Miami was handed its third loss in a four-game series.

“One thing I've picked up on is how quiet the bus is,” graduate student pitcher Clayton Burke said. “After each loss, it's a different type of quiet because we know the ball didn't bounce our way.”

Still, these moments prepared the RedHawks for long-awaited home field play. The team headed into its first Mid-American Conference (MAC) series this past weekend against Eastern Michigan University with a 10-4 record, one game behind the Kent State University Golden Flashes.

With a series sweep against Eastern Michigan, the RedHawks are now first in the conference. Redshirt senior infielder Evan Applewick is confident in the team so far. After coming off its first MAC title since 2005 last season, the team's expectations aren't slowing down.

“We believe that we're the best team in the MAC,” Applewick said. “Our goal is to win the MAC and then receive recognition on a regional and national level, competing with the best teams in the country.”

On the pitching side, depth has become a strong suit for the RedHawks. Burke leads the team with 19 innings pitched, and five additional pitchers have pitched 10 or more innings across the first 15 games.

“Last season, we relied on three or four guys to carry the load through the weekend,” Burke said. “This year, we can rely on three or four guys to get us through almost every game."

Freshman pitcher Cameron Novak and fellow right-handed senior Austin Berggren have supported starting pitching efforts in an effective way. Novak posted a 1.64 ERA through 11 innings, while Breggren has a 2.79 ERA through 9.2 innings and a team-high six appearances.

On the offensive side, Applewick returned to the roster after a 21 home run performance last year. He hasn't let off the gas, hitting seven so far this season.

“Last year, we were one-dimensional,” Appelwick said. “We hit home runs and doubles. This year, we've got a lot more speed. We've got guys that hit for power, but we also have guys that are stealing bases and can bunt.”

Head Coach Brian Smiley also mentioned the different ways the RedHawks can win games with a new skillset from last season.

Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter

“Team speed wasn't a part of our offense last year, but it certainly is this year,” Smiley said. “That's why we can beat teams a couple different ways, whether we need to bunt and run, hit and run, steal bases or hit the long ball.”

Junior outfielder Marcus Dierks leads the team in stolen bases (13), already clearing the team-high from last season (10). Dierks also leads the team in batting average (.442), alongside redshirt junior outfielder Tommy Harrison (.442) through 52 at-bats each.

The men's basketball team finished its season a perfect 31-0 after coming off a 25-9 2025 season and has received national coverage alongside a potential spot in March Madness. The baseball team has bounced back in a similar way, but success from basketball hasn't added any pressure to the team's expectations.

“We want to build off what the basketball team has created,” Burke said. “The national coverage and media is certainly cool, but it doesn’t put more pressure on us, and we know that if we compete to our ability, we will end up getting that national coverage.”

Improvements from last season in hitting, stealing bases and pitching depth started in practice last fall. The groundroot efforts have allowed the team to thrive in multiple aspects of the game instead of just hitting for power.

The RedHawks have another half of their season left, and another MAC title is within reach. Work still has to be done, and the offseason training has given the team confidence.

“The guys have a taste of a MAC title in their mouth, and they want to get back to an NCAA regional,” Smiley said. “I believe we’ve got a regional team.”

The RedHawks (11-4) will face off against the Bowling Green State University Falcons (3-10) in their next home series at McKie Field on March 13-15.

younggm7@miamioh.edu