OXFORD, Ohio(April 1, 2000) -- Miami University's baseball team opened its Mid-American Conference season in style on April 1 as the RedHawks defeated Eastern Michigan, 10-4 and 12-3, in a double-header at Stanley G. McKie Field. The RedHawks, who smashed a total of 25 hits and seven home runs on the afternoon, boosted their season record to 17-7 and 2-0 in the MAC.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first game, Miami's bats came alive in the fourth inning erupting for seven runs on five hits. The Red and White used a wild pitch to get on the board, scoring junior Tom Yost (London, Ohio/Jonathan Alder), who singled to lead off the inning. Two batters later, freshman Zach Schmidt (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas) doubled to left field scoring two runs. Yost collected his second hit of the inning with a two-run single to left field to give the RedHawks control of the game.

Junior Clark Mace (London, Ohio/Madison Plains) led the attack going 3-for-3, including a home run, with three RBI and two runs. Yost finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run, while sophomore George Stegmiller (Upper Arlington, Ohio/Upper Arlington) went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run.

On the mound, junior Nate Tekavec (Concord, Ohio/Riverside) picked up the win throwing his fourth complete game of the year. Tekavec (5-2) gave up nine hits and four runs, one of which was unearned, striking out one batter.

For the Eagles, Vincent Thomas and Luke Beeler notched two hits apiece. Jeff Mull took the loss on the mound.

In the second game, Miami came out on fire scoring runs in the first four innings. In the bottom of the first inning, Mace hit his fifth home run of the season, and second of the day, with a three-run blast over the left field fence. Senior Bobby Barnes (Sarasota, Fla./Sarasota) connected on a two-run blast over the right field fence in the second inning. Barnes hit his second deep shot of the game over the right field fence in the fourth inning. Raising his batting average to .357, Barnes finished the day 3-for-3 with four RBI and four runs.

Junior John Lackaff (Downers Grove, Ill./North) tallied three hits in the game, including his team-leading sixth home run, four RBI and two runs. Schmidt finished the game with three hits and three runs.

Sophomore Russ Bayer (Naperville, Ill./North) earned the win on the mound for Miami. Bayer (5-1) pitched a complete game, giving up nine hits and three runs, striking out two batters and walking one.

Frank Garcia pounded out two hits to lead the Eagles. Anthony Tomey suffered the loss, giving up six runs and five hits in two innings of work.

The RedHawks are back in action on Sunday as they host the University of Toledo for a double-header. Eastern Michigan (9-15) travels to Bowling Green on Sunday to take on the Falcons in a double-header. Both teams are slated to begin their games at 1 p.m.