NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A bases loaded balk pushed the winning run across the plate as Belmont (4-1) salvaged a 9-8 victory over Miami (OH) Friday night at Rose Park.
The win marks head coach Dave Jarvis' 800th career victory.
Miami got on the board first, but their lead was short-lived as an RBI single from Nick Egli (Brentwood, Tenn.) tied the game at 1-1 in the first.
The Redhawks took a 2-1 lead with a solo home run from Gary Russo in the fourth. Belmont responded with a pair of home runs from Drew Ferguson (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Jamie Ritchie (Buford, Ga.), to put the Bruins up 3-2.
An RBI single and a sacrifice fly added two more runs for Miami in the sixth. Belmont capitalized on a pair of walks and a hit batsman in the bottom half of the inning, scoring five runs to take an 8-4 lead.
The Bruins gave up four unanswered runs to the Redhawks heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Miami relief pitcher Charlie Suich walked three consecutive batters to start the ninth. Jacob Banks came in from the bullpen to strike out a pair of Belmont batters before being called for a balk, allowing Zach Hald (Roswell, Ga.) to score the winning run.
Greg Brody (Dacula, Ga.) earned his first win of the season. He struck out two in his 1.1 innings of work.
Belmont will host Indiana State tomorrow. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:00pm.
