DAYTON, Ohio (Interstat) — The Miami (Ohio) Redhawks erupted for eight unearned runs in a chaotic seventh inning to break open a tight game and cruise to a 14-4 victory over the Dayton Flyers in a non-conference baseball game Tuesday evening at Woerner Field.

The game, a rematch of a March 18 contest won 13-7 by Miami, was projected to be a close affair by Interstat’s game simulator, which forecast a 6-4 Redhawks win. The ELO system gave Miami a 53 percent probability of victory. The result was far more lopsided, fueled by a season-high 11 hits by Miami and a critical defensive collapse by Dayton in the late innings.

For six innings, the Flyers kept pace. After Miami scratched out a first-inning run on a wild pitch, Dayton answered with two in the bottom half on a two-run single by D. Wouters. Miami extended its lead to 4-2 in the second when Ryan Novak’s single to right field was misplayed, allowing three runs to score.

Dayton’s Jason Bello cut the deficit to 4-3 with a solo home run in the third inning, but the Flyers would get no closer. The game’s turning point came in the top of the seventh with Miami leading 5-3.

The inning spiraled for Dayton after two were out. A hit-by-pitch and a walk loaded the bases before an error by the Flyers’ right fielder allowed one run to score. Pinch-hitter Mason Breidenbach then cleared the bases with a three-run triple, and Diego Cruz followed with an RBI single to plate Breidenbach. The Redhawks added three more runs in the frame on a combination of a stolen base, a throwing error, and an RBI single by Tommy Harrison, who finished 3 for 4 with two RBIs. All eight Miami runs in the inning were unearned.

The most important sequence of the game, however, may have occurred in the bottom of the third, preserving Miami’s then-precarious lead. After Bello’s homer and two walks loaded the bases with two outs, Miami reliever Luke Ross was pulled without recording an out. Troy Benko entered and induced an inning-ending fielder’s choice groundout to shortstop, stranding three runners. Benko was dominant from there, delivering 3 1/3 perfect innings of relief with two strikeouts to earn the win and stifle any Dayton momentum.

Benko’s performance, following a scoreless outing against these same Flyers last week, provided critical stability for Miami. Jack Geiser started for the Redhawks, allowing three runs, two earned, over 2 2/3 innings. Marc Iozzo allowed a run in the seventh for Miami’s final pitching line.

For Dayton, starter John Delgado lasted just one inning, giving way to Mason LaBuda, who surrendered three runs over 3 1/3 innings. Will Perkowski struck out two in two-thirds of an inning of late work. Bello led the Flyers’ offense, going 2 for 4 with the home run and two RBIs.

The victory improves Miami’s record to 15-8, while Dayton falls to 14-10. The Redhawks have now won two straight against their in-state foe this season.

Miami opens Mid-American Conference play this weekend with a three-game series at Kent State beginning Friday. Dayton begins Atlantic 10 Conference action on the road at Davidson, also starting Friday.