OXFORD, Ohio— An error in the bottom of the eighth proved costly, as Western Michigan dropped an 8-7 decision on the road at Miami Sunday.

Each team scored a run in the first and the RedHawks took a two-run lead with a pair of runs in the third. Tim Cross and Jimmy Martinez hit RBI doubles for WMU in the fourth to knot the overall count at 3-3. Miami scored a run in the fifth and sixth to go back on top, 5-3. The Broncos pulled ahead with three runs in the top of the seventh, but Miami evened the score at six-all with a run in the bottom of the frame. Jack Scanlon ripped an RBI single and Troy Forton scored two with an RBI double down the left line. Scanlon extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

A fielding error gave Miami extra life in the bottom of the eighth and Ryan Kaup delivered a two-out, two-run double off of Eric Heckaman. Heckaman (2-1) took the loss, but his unblemished ERA remained in tact, as both runs went down as unearned. Heckaman has now gone 25.1 innings without giving up an earned run.

Troy Forton drew a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth and later scored on a sac bunt by Grant Simotes. Pulling within one, WMU had the tying and go-ahead run on base with two outs. LHP Shawn Marquardt took over for Matt Rosinski on the mound and sealed the win for Miami, sitting Zach Thoma down swinging. Rosinski (2-0) earned the win, recording the final out in the top of the eighth. Marquardt got his first save of the season. Seven different RedHawk pitchers appeared in the game.

Bronco starter Steve Laudicina threw five inning, yielding four earned runs, five hits and walking three. Mike Moyer recorded the first out in the sixth and Chris Bossenbery worked the next 1.2 innings before giving away to Heckaman in the top of the eighth.

Western Michigan (18-18, 7-5 MAC) had 11 hits in the game and Miami (19-18, 7-5 MAC) recorded nine. Junior third baseman Ryan McMillin went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Brad Wehrmeyer had two hits. Western Michigan missed out on scoring opportunities, stranding 13 runners on base.

“Today was a tough loss, as we had our chances to ensure victory,” said WMU head coach Billy Gernon. “We battled and the one thing that defines us right now is that we never think we are out of a game.”

Western Michigan heads to East Lansing Tuesday, to face in-state rival Michigan State at 3:05 p.m. Coach Gernon was an assistant on the Spartan staff the past two seasons, before taking over the Bronco program in June. WMU hosts Eastern Michigan over the weekend.