Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Nick Howie hit his seventh home run of the season, but the baseball team lost to Miami (Ohio), 8-4, on Wednesday at Earle Combs Stadium.
 
Home runs in the first, second and fifth allowed the Redhawks (16-3) to build an 8-0 lead through five and a half innings.  Jordan Stephens and Reid Norberg each hit two-run dingers.
 
The Colonels (11-10) began to chip into the deficit in the bottom half of the sixth.  Howie launched his seventh over the left field wall to make it 8-1.  Brent Lovell had an RBI single in the seventh.  In the eighth, Charlie Ludwick punched a run scoring single up the middle and Daniel Harris IV platted a run with an infield single to get the home squad within four.  With the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate, Alex Stobert got a strike out to end the inning for Miami.
 
Howie finished 1-for-4 with a walk, two runs and an RBI.  Stephens had a 3-for-4 day with two runs and two driven in for Miami.
 
"Miami's starter did a great job," Eastern Kentucky Head Coach Edwin Thompson said.  "They kept us off balance and got a couple big hits, had three home runs, in the early part of the game.  It took us a long time to wake up, but I appreciate how the guys competed and fought.  We had a chance in the eighth with the bases loaded but we unfortunately didn't get the hit we needed.  That has been the reoccurring theme with this team so far.  We just have to find out how to get the hits we need but we'll regroup and be ready to go on Friday night."
 
The Colonels will host their first Ohio Valley Conference series of the season when Tennessee-Martin visits Earle Combs Stadium this weekend.  The series opener is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m.