The Miami (OH) baseball team (27-25) defeated Kent State (27-26) in the second and final game of the first day of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament on Wednesday evening, advancing in the winner’s bracket and setting up a battle with Bowling Green, the conference regular season champions.  

Kent State got on the board first, as senior infielder Michael McNamara drew in a run with a single in the top of the first.  

However, Miami would score the next five runs of the contest.  

Redshirt sophomore infielder Evan Appelwick hit the only home run of the day, a two-run shot to left field, in the bottom of the first inning, giving the RedHawks a lead they would never relinquish.  

Then, MU sophomore infielder Tyler Gordon drove in a run with a single before scoring on a wild pitch to put the RedHawks up 4-1. Junior catcher Ty Batusich capped off Miami’s three-run second inning by driving in a run with a single up the middle, extending their lead to 5-1.  

However, the Golden Flashes attempted to start a late rally, with McNamara scoring on a wild pitch in the top of the seventh inning to cut Miami’s lead to 5-2.  

Moments later, something that everyone was hoping did not happen happened: the bad weather moved in.  

Heavy thunderstorms pounded Crushers Stadium, causing a weather delay that lasted over two hours.   

Although play eventually resumed, neither team was able to score again, as Miami advanced to the winner’s bracket while KSU was pushed to the brink of elimination.  

Miami starting pitcher Peyton Olejnik earned his MAC-leading ninth win of the season, while Kent State starter Calvin Bickerstaff was dealt his fourth loss of the year. Meanwhile, MU reliever Lukas Galdoni picked up his fourth save of the season.  

The story of the game for the Golden Flashes was missed opportunities. They left 11 runners on base, including squandering two bases-loaded chances during the contest.  

Next, KSU will try to avoid elimination, facing Toledo in the loser’s bracket at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.  

Miami advanced in the winner’s bracket with their win and is set to battle top-seeded Bowling Green on Thursday at 2 p.m.  

Falcon Media Sports Network’s (FMSN) Tyler Kavalecz and Chas McNeil will have the call of the contest between the Falcons and RedHawks on Falcon Radio, starting at 1:30 p.m. for pregame.  

Kavalecz and McNeil will continue providing on-site coverage of the entire tournament on FMSN’s X account.