Sophomore Ben Eubank

April 23, 2008

CINCINNATI - In a slug-fest that featured a plethora of power, including five home runs, it was sophomore Ben Eubank's four RBIs that gave Miami (13-26) an 8-7 come-from-behind win over Xavier at Hayden Field Wednesday afternoon. The RedHawks completed the season sweep over Xavier, including a 7-2 win over the Musketeers at McKie Field at Hayden Park on April 16.

The long ball got things started in the bottom of the second inning. The Musketeer lead-off batter was hit by a pitch to begin the frame. Xavier's six-hole hitter, Jack Bonnickson, hit a two-strike home run to right field plating two runs and sending the Musketeers to an early 2-0 lead.

Not known for his power, Eubank put the RedHawks on the board in the top of the third inning with the first home run of his career. Eubank drove the first pitch he saw over the left field fence, cutting Miami's deficit in half, 2-1.

Clutch two-out hitting gave Miami its first lead of the game in the fourth inning. Junior J.D. Mynhier singled to left field with two outs, before advancing into scoring position on a passed ball. Freshman John Hornke drew a walk, bringing fellow freshman, Brad Gschwind, to the plate. Gschwind worked a full count before depositing a double into left field that scored both Mynhier and Hornke and moved the RedHawks in front, 3-2. Junior Josh Hula was hit by a pitch to keep the inning alive and Eubank made the Musketeers pay for the second time in as many innings as he delivered an RBI single to center field.

Junior Jordan Petraitis belted his team-leading sixth home run of the season in the fifth inning. With a favorable two balls, no strikes count, the 2007 First-Team All-MAC selection drilled a solo home run to right field, bringing Miami within one run, 6-5.

After Xavier tacked on a run in the seventh, Miami battled back to take the lead in the eighth inning. With runners on second and third base with one out, Eubank came through for the RedHawks again, this time with two-RBI double down the left field line to tie the game at 7-7. A ground out to third base kept Eubank at second base, but a two-out RBI double by freshman Adam Eaton catapulted the RedHawks in front, 8-7.

Senior Bobby Oberschlake (3-4) retired the side in the eighth inning and senior Steve Antoniotti struck out the first batter in the ninth, before forcing a double play to earn his first save of the season and preserve the 8-7 win.

Eaton, Petraitis and Gschwind collected two hits apiece, but Eubank led Miami with three hits.

The RedHawks return to Mid-American Conference play this weekend when Miami welcomes Bowling Green for a three-game series beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 25.