Bobcats Exit MAC Tournament With 10-5 Loss To Miami

KENT, Ohio (May 19, 2000) -- Tom Yost went 2-for-4 with four runs-batted-in to lead fifth-seeded Miami University over fourth-seeded Ohio University 10-5 May 19 at the 2000 Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament at Gene Michael Field.

Ohio (31-25-1) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning when, after two walks, Jeff Rook hit his 17th home run of the season, which broke his own single-season record.

Miami (38-21), which will make its third straight championship game, answered back with three runs in the bottom of the second. Joe Spain and Andi Scheidt had back-to-back singles and Yost drove in both with a double. The RedHawks put a three spot on the board in the third, when Yost had another double, scoring Bobby Barnes and Spain. Brady Nori then singled, driving in Scheidt.

In the Miami fourth, John Lackaff had a sacrifice fly, driving in Luke Reinhardt. Spain then doubled to drive in Clark Mace and Jeremy Ison, making the score 6-3.

In the Ohio fifth, Mike Arbinger singled to drive in Brian Wingfeld with the unearned run.

Miami tacked on a single run in the fifth. A Barnes double scored Reinhardt to make the score 10-4.

Ohio added a run in the seventh as Wingfeld homered to left center.

Russ Bayer (8-3) picked up the win for Miami as he threw a complete game seven-hitter. Andrew See (4-4) got the loss for Ohio, giving up eight runs in three innings.

"Maybe he [Bayer] was uptight early, but I was very pleased with the way he settled down," Miami head coach Tracy Smith said.

"Miami's a good club," Ohio head coach Joe Carbone said. "They deserve to be in the finals. They played well in the end. You've got to give them credit."

With the loss, Ohio is eliminated from the tournament. Miami will play Ball State Saturday, May 20 at noon. Ball State will have to win two games to win the tournament, while Miami needs only one win to take the title.