Mid-American Conference

MAC Baseball Championship Central
Official Bracket
 
No. 6 Ohio 6, No. 4 Miami 5
Box Score
Video:  Ohio Head Coach Rob Smith
Video:  Ohio player
 
AVON, Ohio – No. 6 seed Ohio extended its season with three runs in the 17th inning for a 6-5 win over No. 4 seed Miami as the Bobcats got solid pitching from the combination of Joe Rock, Brett Manis, Jack Liberatore and Colin Sells on Friday afternoon at Sprenger Stadium.  

Ohio exploded for three runs in the top of the 17th inning. With the bases loaded, Zyon Avery’s sacrifice fly to right field scored Tanner Piechnick, then Sebastian Fabik’s single up the middle scored both Trevor Hafner and Trevor Lukkes for the 6-3 lead.

Miami responded with two runs in the bottom of the 17th for the 6-5 final.

In the top of the 12th inning, Ohio took the 3-2 lead as Fabik led off with a walk and Treyben Funderburg’s infield single put runners at first and second base. Aaron Levy’s reached on a fielder’s choice and Fabik scored on a wild throw to first base.  

With one out in the bottom of the 12th inning, Miami’s Kyle Winkler singled to left, Parker Massman walked and Will Vogelsang was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Landon Stephens sacrifice fly to center field scored Winkler to tie the game, 3-3. 

Miami opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Mackay Williams sacrifice scored Jordan Stephens then Reid Norberg stole third and scored on a wild throw for the 2-0 lead.

Ohio responded with two runs in the top of the fifth inning. Trevor Lukkes opened the inning with a triple and later scored on a fielding error on Funderburg's chopper to third. Later with the bases loaded Levy walked to score Trevor Hafner to tie the game, 2-2.

Ohio starter Joe Rock went six innings and allowed two earned runs on six hits.  Brett Manis entered in the seventh allowing no runs over six innings and only three hits. Jack Liberatore entered in the 13th inning and threw four innings allowing no runs and no hits.  Colin Sells and Nick Kamrada finished the 17th inning. 

No. 6 seed Ohio plays No. 5 seed Northern Illinois at approximately 5:00 pm ET.  With the loss, Miami's season comes to an end.