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TEMPE, Ariz. – David Macias’ two-run single in the bottom of the ninth completed a three-run rally and propelled Vanderbilt to a 4-3 win over Miami (Ohio) Sunday afternoon at the DeMarini Invitational at Packard Stadium.
Miami (Ohio) held a 3-1 lead heading into the ninth when Alex Feinberg led off the frame with a single. Shea Robin then walked, prompting the RedHawks to go to lefthander Bobby Oberschlake out of the bullpen. Parker Hanks laid down a bunt to move the runners over in scoring position and reached base himself when Oberschlake’s throw to first sailed high and into the stands. Feinberg scored and Robin and Hanks advanced to third and second. Brad French was intentionally walked to load the bases before Macias singled down the leftfield line to win the game.
“It was a nice comeback, I had a feeling we were in for one of those type games,” said Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin. “I don’t think we got going until the sixth or seventh inning. We really didn’t swing the bats well at all, we got beat with one pitch that was kind of tough to see.”
Miami (Ohio) took a 1-0 lead in the first on a RBI groundout by first baseman Tommy Nurre. Evan Armitage led off the game with a walk, moved to third on a single by Jon Edgington and scored on the grounder to short by Nurre.
The RedHawks pushed the lead to 3-0 in the fourth inning. Chris Nadeau opened the frame with an infield single, moved to third on Blake Chaffee’s single to center and scored when David Macias’ throw to third got away from Andrew Giobbi. Adam Eaton plated Chaffee with an RBI double for the second run.
Vanderbilt threatened in the bottom of the fourth with consecutive one-out singles by Ryan Flaherty, Andrew Giobbi and Alex Feinberg to load the bases. The Commodores failed to convert as consecutive infield pop-outs by Shea Robin and Parker Hanks ended the inning.
Miami had a similar scoring opportunity in the top of the sixth, loading the bases with one out against freshman Chase Reid. The righthander got out of the jam by striking out Evan Armitage and getting Jon Edington to ground to short to end the inning.
VU got on the board in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by David Macias that scored Shea Robin who led off the inning with a double to left-center. Hanks was then hit by a pitch by Miami starter Matt Erwood who was relieved by Nick Kurash.
Erwood allowed one run on six hits in six innings of work with five strikeouts and a walk.
VU starter Nick Christiani gave up three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and three walks in five innings.
Reid (1-0) closed out the game with four scoreless innings in relief, giving up three hits while striking out five with two walks.
“The difference was Chase Reid,” said Corbin. “I thought he pitched very well. He threw a lot of strikes and the bases loaded situation was big when he got himself out of that.”
Macias led VU with three hits and three RBI. Feinberg added two hits and Ryan Flaherty extended his hit streak to 38 straight games with a single in the fourth inning.
The Commodores will return home for their season opener against Evansville on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Hawkins Field.
Miami (Ohio) 100 200 000 – 3 10 0
Vanderbilt 000 000 103 – 4 9 2
Erwood, Kurash (7), Oberschlake (9) and Hula. Christiani, Reid (6) and Robin. W- Reid 1-0, L- Oberschlake 0-1 . Sv- None. HR: None
