FRESNO, Calif. (March 14) --After squandering last-inning leads to drop its first two games of the Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic, Miami University's baseball team played the come-from-behind role itself in Wednesday's 7-6 victory over the University of Portland.

The RedHawks batted around in the bottom of the ninth inning, scoring five runs to claim the win. Shortstop Jeremy Ison (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) capped the comback with a two-out RBI single to left field that brought right fielder Jason Knoedler (Springfield, Ill./Springfield/Lincoln Land C.C.) home with the winning tally.

For the first time in the tournament, Miami (5-7) failed to score a run in the first inning. In fact, Portland starter Steve Chamberlain allowed only one hit through four innings, as the Pilots staked a 3-0 lead.

The RedHawks managed a run in the fifth when third baseman Andi Scheidt (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle) scored from third on a failed pickoff attempt by Chamberlain. First baseman Brady Nori (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown) homered to right center in the sixth to bring Miami within a run.

However, Portland (8-10) answered in the seventh, notching three runs to take a 6-2 advantage into the ninth and setting the stage for the RedHawk rally. Four hits and three walks accounted for the decisive runs.

Junior Mark Floersch (Winnetka, Ill./New Trier) pitched a perfect ninth to collect his first win since returning from Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss the entire 2000 campaign.

Offensively, sophomore Michael Carlin (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) turned in his best performance in the Red and White, collecting a career-high three hits in as many at-bats. Nori chipped in a 3-for-5 effort and added a career-high-tying three RBI.

Miami will face No. 8 Notre Dame at 4 p.m. (PST) Thursday. The Red and White holds a 11-0 all-time advantage versus the Fighting Irish.