Sophomore Brandon Hillier is in the midst of a 15-game hitting streak

May 12, 2005

Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami RedHawks (32-13,12-3 MAC) put their league-best record on the line this weekend when they travel to Northern Illinois University (13-31,3-15 MAC) for a three-game Mid-American Conference set with the Huskies. Miami sits percentage points ahead of Ball State in the race for first place in the MAC and the right to host the conference's post-season tournament.

ROLLING HILLS: Sophomore Brandon Hillier (Hinsdale, Ill.) is in the midst of a 15-game hitting streak, the longest streak of any RedHawk this season. In that stretch he is hitting a team-best .429 (24-for-56) and has only struck out twice.

MIAMI IN THE RPI: In the current RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) supplied by www.warrennolan.com, Miami ranks 49th, out of 290 NCAA Division I teams. Miami is the top-ranked Mid-American Conference team, ahead of Ball State at 76th. The RPI is a mathematical ranking system that is designed to rank teams according to strength of schedule, their record and the record of opponents. Miami's climb up the RPI rankings has been helped considerably by its 18-2 record over the last 20 games.

GETTIN' IT DONE ON THE ROAD: Entering this week, the RedHawks had the nation's tenth-best record road winning percentage at (.692). Miami improved upon its 9-4 road record last night with a 5-2 win over Cincinnati. Their new road winning percentage (.714) ties them for seventh in the nation with Arizona.

THE RUNNIN' HAWKS: Miami's baserunners have stolen 112 bases in 2005 compared to just 28 by its opponents. The RedHawks stole a season-high seven bases versus Cincinnati on April 27 in a 7-2 in over the Bearcats. Last season the RedHawks stole 96 bases to their opponents' 40. Sophomore Ryne Robinson (Toledo, Ohio) leads the Red and White with 30 steals in 37 attempts, eclipsing his season output of 18 from a year ago.

O' CANADA: Senior Brian Canada (Fishers, Ind.) continues to lead the RedHawks offensively. His .373 average is second in the MAC to Bowling Green's Andy Hudak (.382). Canada's average is a career high as are his team-leading 15 doubles. He has 207 hits in his career, ranking him seventh on the all-time list at Miami.

SERIES STARTERS: Miami will go with two lefthanders and a righthander versus the Northern Illinois Huskies. Sophomore lefty Keith Weiser (Hamilton, Ohio) (6-0, 3.01 ERA) starts on Friday and will be followed by fellow southpaw Graham Taylor (Villa Hills, Ky.) (4-0, 2.966 ERA). Freshman righthander John Ely (Homewood, Ill.) (7-1, 2.67 ERA) is slated to toe the rubber on Sunday.

LEADING THE MAC: Miami sits alone atop the Mid-American Conference with a 12-3 (.800) record. The RedHawks are ahead of Ball State (15-4, .789) and Western Michigan (11-5, .688) in the race to host the MAC Tournament. The winner of the tournament earns the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Miami's last trip to the field of 64 was in 2000.

NATIONAL PRIDE: Sophomore lefthander Keith Weiser (Hamilton, Ohio) was among a group of 13 players who were invited to the USA Baseball National Team Trials, which are scheduled to take place in late June. Weiser was the only MAC player to be invited. Twenty six more players will be invited later in the season before the roster is cut down to 20.