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Huskies deal RedHawks first defeat of MAC tournament in a 15-inning marathon

Redshirt-freshman Ignacio Gonzalez checks his lineup card during the MAC tournament on May 21
Redshirt-freshman Ignacio Gonzalez checks his lineup card during the MAC tournament on May 21

The Miami University RedHawks were defeated by the Northern Illinois University (NIU) Huskies in the second round of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament 6-5 in a 15-inning affair. The loss marks the RedHawks fourth of the season to the Huskies.
The Huskies defeated the Western Michigan University Broncos in the first round of the tournament the day before. As the No. 1 seed, Miami was given a bye to the second round of the double elimination tournament.


Senior southpaw Zac Sohosky got the start for the RedHawks, he would duel fellow senior left-hander Carter Cox. Both pitchers started off hot early, striking out a combined nine batters in the first two scoreless innings.


The Huskies would put runs on the board first thanks to a solo home run by senior Gavin Baldwin.


In the home half of the third, Miami looked to even the score. Junior Marcus Dierks ambushed the NIU starter with a first pitch single. Highlighting his speed, Dierks stole second and was able to score on a single from redshirt-junior Tommy Harrison.


With the score level at one each, Sohosky dealt a speedy 1-2-3 inning, returning the RedHawks to the plate. MAC Freshman of the Year, Diego Cruz, doubled to start the rally. Senior Dominic Krupinski hit another double to drive in Cruz. After swiping third, Krupinski scored on a Dierks single. The RedHawks ended the fourth inning with a 3-1 lead.

Miami’s lead did not last long; a pair of doubles crowded the basepaths for the Huskies. Sophomore Nolan Sandee drove a ball into a tough left field hiding spot. By the time junior Ryan Novak procured the baseball, both runners had scored and Sandee had made his way to third. Baldwin popped a ball up to score the third runner of the inning on a sacrifice-fly to give NIU the lead.

The sixth inning started off with a single by Huskies junior Marcus Romero. Romero worked himself around the bases to score on a single from senior Caden Robertson. NIU ended the inning with a 5-3 advantage.

In the eighth inning, Dierks hit a one-out single to set up an advantageous position for redshirt-senior Evan Appelwick. The first baseman barreled a ball past the left field fence to tie the game 5-5.

With the game in a deadlock, a marathon ensued. The RedHawks and Huskies used a combined seven pitchers and four pinch hitters in the seemingly unending 15 inning contest. Seniors Carson Byers, Austin Berggren and Jake Tedesco dominated the NIU batters, only allowing three hits and one walk between their combined eight innings of relief.

The RedHawks left 19 baserunners stranded during the game, including a bases loaded situation in the 14th inning. Miami outhit NIU but could not convert the base runners into runs.

Redshirt freshman Marc Iozzo took the bump in the top of the 15th, recording one out and allowing two Huskies to reach. Graduate student Kaden Pfeffer took over for Iozzo and gave up a single to score junior Vinny Spotofora, ending the six inning scoreless streak.

The RedHawks could not produce meaningful offense in the final frame. Miami failed to beat the Huskies for the fourth time this season, losing this contest 6-5. Iozzo received the loss for the RedHawks, senior Matt Tarr got the win for NIU and senior Nick Bassi earned the save.

The RedHawks still have an opportunity to compete for the conference title, but they will have to do so through the losers bracket. They will battle the No. 2 seed Kent State University at 9 a.m. for the right to stay alive. Miami can not afford to lose another game, or they will be eliminated from title contention.

meneghcj@miamioh.edu

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