OXFORD, Ohio (Interstat) — The Miami (Ohio) Redhawks capitalized on a turbulent first inning by Eastern Michigan and held off a late rally to defeat the Eagles 8-5 in a Mid-American Conference baseball game Saturday at Stanley G. McKie Field at Joseph P. Hayden Jr. Park.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded in the evening, saw the Redhawks improve to 10-4 overall, while the Eagles fell to 4-11.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded immediately, as Miami (Ohio) sent 11 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first inning, transforming an early deficit into a commanding lead they would not relinquish. Eastern Michigan had taken a 5-0 advantage before recording an out, as all five runs were credited to the Eagles’ starting pitcher without a hit being recorded, stemming from a combination of walks, hit batters and an error.

Miami (Ohio) starter Cameron Novak, named the top star for the Redhawks, settled in after the unusual top of the first. He worked 4 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out six to earn the win. His effort stabilized the game after the offensive outburst.

That outburst was led by right fielder Tommy Harrison, who drove in three runs. His two-run double in the first inning ignited the seven-run frame. Harrison later added an RBI single in the fourth. Shortstop Dominic Krupinski contributed a two-run single in the second inning, and catcher Carson Raether added an RBI double in the first.

Eastern Michigan’s offense was stifled for much of the game, managing only three hits through the first eight innings. Left fielder Devan Zirwas provided a solo home run in the fourth inning. The Eagles mounted a serious threat in the ninth, scoring three runs on RBI singles from Drew Jones and Logan Borchardt to pull within three. With the bases loaded and two outs, Miami (Ohio) reliever Austin Berggren entered and recorded a strikeout to end the game and strand the tying run on base.

Jones finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs for Eastern Michigan. Reliever Cal Rutherford provided four innings of scoreless, hitless relief for the Eagles, striking out two.

For Miami (Ohio), center fielder Marcus Dierks went 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. Carson Byers followed Novak with four innings of work, allowing two earned runs before Berggren secured the final out.

The victory followed Miami (Ohio)’s 13-3 win over Eastern Michigan on Friday. The teams conclude their three-game series Sunday.

The result aligned closely with pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Miami (Ohio) 7, Eastern Michigan 3, and its ELO system gave the Redhawks a 71.50 percent probability to win.

Eastern Michigan continues its season Sunday at Miami (Ohio) before hosting Michigan State on Wednesday. Miami (Ohio) hosts Evansville on Wednesday following the series finale.