RICHMOND, Ky. – Junior Dylan McMaine went 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs scored, and a two run home run in the bottom of the seventh that proved to be more than just meaningless insurance runs as the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team held on to beat Miami University Tuesday, 9-7. With the win, the Colonels even their record at 21-21-1, while the RedHawks drop to 15-28 on the season.
The Colonels jumped ahead of the RedHawks 2-0 in the bottom of the first and would not trail the rest of the game. Junior Aaron Barrows scored the first run of the inning on a throwing error by Miami catcher Adam Weisenburger. Sophomore Anthony Ottrando was then brought home on an RBI single through the ride side by McMaine.
After a Tyler Rehmel sacrifice fly in the third made it 3-0, the Colonels added three more runs in the fifth to distance themselves. The first run of the inning came off an RBI single to right center by Rehmel. McMaine then scored on a throwing error during a failed pickoff attempt, and Rehmel was brought home on an infield single from junior Matt Davis.
The seventh inning saw the Colonels build on their already sizeable lead. Barrows led off the inning with a walk, and promptly stole second. After Ottando went down on strikes, McMaine crushed a ball over the wall in right, putting the Colonels up 8-0. Later in the inning, Rehmel was plated by another RBI single off the bat of Davis, making the score 9-0.
After the Redhawks got one run back in the eighth, however, they rallied for even more in the ninth. Facing Colonel reliever David Owens, Miami began the ninth with three straight singles, followed by a sacrifice fly from pinch hitter Chris Rodriguez to make it 9-3. Then, with the bases loaded and two outs, RedHawk first baseman Tommy Nurre smacked a bases clearing double down the right field line, pulling Miami within three runs. The next batter, second baseman Evan Armitage, ripped a single to center, plating Nurre and making the score 9-7. Finally, pinch hitter Kyle Weldon grounded out to second to end the comeback and the game.
Junior Eric Hash (2-3) pitched masterfully for the Colonels, going seven innings and allowing no runs on just five hits. He also struck out four batters. Owens pitched an inning and two thirds and gave up seven runs on six hits. Freshman Paul Duncan retired the last batter of the game for the Colonels.
John Greene (1-1) picked up the loss for the Redhawks, going four and a third innings and allowing four runs on just two hits.
Aside from McMaine, the Colonels were led offensively by Rehmel, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored, and Davis, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Barrows batted 0-for-2 but had a very productive day, drawing three walks, stealing three bases and scoring four runs.
The Colonels return to action tomorrow, April 30, when they travel to Oxford, Ohio to face Miami University again in the second game of this week’s home and home series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
