OXFORD, Ohio (March 30) -- Led by another record-breaking day from senior Clark Mace (London, Ohio/Madison Plains), Miami University's baseball team defeated Western Michigan 8-5 Friday afternoon in both teams' Mid-American Conference opener at Stanley G. McKie Field. In the win, Mace broke Miami's record for career total bases, his sixth school record.

Miami jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to a Jeremy Ison (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) home run to left center field in the bottom of the first inning.

In the bottom of the third, Mace homered to left field, giving the RedHawks a 3-0 advantage. With the blast, Mace broke the Miami career record for total bases, besting D.J. Eckart's mark of 380. Following today's action, Mace’s record mark stands at 387. Mace also holds Miami records for hits, runs and at-bats in a career, as well as the single-season hits and runs marks.

Miami (12-10, 1-0 MAC) added a pair of runs in the fourth inning to up its advantage to 5-0. David Cook (Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales) drilled a two-run triple to right center to account for the frame's runs and break his 3-for-36 slump at the plate.

After cruising through four perfect innings, Miami starter Chris Leonard (Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales) ran into trouble in the top of the fifth as Western Michigan's first two batters singled. Bronco third baseman Tim Franhouse followed with a two-out, three-run homer to left, cutting Miami’s lead to 5-3.

The RedHawks broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh, plating three runs on three hits to extend their lead to 8-3. Brady Nori (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown) singled up the middle past a drawn-in infield to score two runs and Mace followed with a triple to right center, which accounted for the Red and White scoring.

Western Michigan (7-11, 0-1 MAC) answered in the eighth when shortstop Ryan Kochen drilled a two-run home run to straight-away center field, cutting Miami's lead to 8-5.

However, Leonard was able to hold off the Broncos in the ninth to collect his third complete game of the year and eighth of his career.

Offensively, The RedHawks were led by Mace, who went 3-for-4 with a triple, home run and two RBI and Luke Reinhart (Downers Grove, Ill./Montini Catholic) went 3-for-4 with two doubles.

Miami and Western Michigan continue their MAC-opening series at 1 p.m. Saturday with a doubleheader at Stanley G. McKie Field.