Hail, rain and swirling winds came and went on Saturday at Theunissen Stadium as it took Central Michigan baseball 11 innings to claim victory in game two of its three-game series against Miami (Ohio).

After a ninth-inning RedHawk rally doomed the Chippewas in game one on Friday, it was CMU (17-34, 9-11 Mid-American Conference) who was celebrating on the field at Theunissen Stadium on Saturday.

After one-and-a-half extra innings of scoreless baseball, it was a walk-off triple to the right field fence from junior first basemen Alex Borglin that sent freshman pinch runner Ty Rollin across the plate to win the game 4-3.

"To get any win is a great feeling, but especially a hard fought one, I feel really good about it," Borglin said. "Keep grinding — that's been our biggest thing."

The Rochester Hills native — who carries a 15-game hitting streak into Sunday's game three said his job was to simply advance Rollin into scoring position, but Miami (OH) relief pitcher Nick Ernst pitched the game's final pitch "right down the middle."

"We needed (to win) that one for a lot of reason," said Head Coach Steve Jaksa. "I'm really proud of the guys. We've been resilient — just keep fighting."

The game was scoreless heading into the bottom of the third inning until freshman infielder Jared Watkins doubled on a line drive into left field to start the inning. A strategic bunt by junior catcher Robert Greenman placed in between the pitcher and third basemen moved Watkins to third base. Greenman made it safely to first base without a throw.

An apparent sacrifice fly ball to left field by Borglin the next at bat was dropped by the left fielder, scoring Watkins and moving Greenman into scoring position on second base.

Senior outfielder Ryan Heeke advanced Greenman to third base on a fielder's choice and a single from sophomore infielder Zach McKinstry scored Greenman, making the score 2-0. McKinstry's hitting streak is now at 17 games.

In addition to three CMU runs, the third inning also brought the game's most inclement weather with rain and hail. The game was not stopped.

The RedHawks (23-25, 12-8 MAC) would respond in their half of the fifth inning however, scoring one run. With the score at 2-1 with two outs, the bases were loaded for Miami's designated hitter Gary Russo — who hit the home run to beat CMU in game one on Friday — but CMU's starting pitcher junior Nick Deeg got him to pop out to right field to end the inning.

Deeg finished with nine strikeouts, allowing seven hits and three earned runs in seven innings pitched.

The Chippewas added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases on Miami right-handed pitcher Cole Gnetz with just one out. But CMU could only plate one run on a walk by Borglin after Greenman fanned on strike three for out number two.

After Borglin's walk, the lefty Heeke sliced a line drive into left field, but the Mount Pleasant wind tailed the ball back into the outstretched glove of diving RedHawk left fielder Kyle Winkler to end the inning.

CMU led 3-1 heading into the top of the seventh.

In the top of the eighth inning, junior right handed pitcher Jordan Grosjean came in to relieve Deeg and CMU ran into trouble.

In the top of the eighth inning, the RedHawks worked their way back into the game — displaying shades of game one — tying the contest 3-3. Deeg was responsible for the RedHawk's tying run.

Grosjean, however, would go on to pitch the game's remaining four innings, allowing just four hits and striking out seven batters.

"Grosjean pitched really well," Borglin said. "Deeg started. He was great, but I think Grosjean did a good job of keeping us in the game."

The series continues tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. at Theunssien Stadium.

Jaksa said his team needs to forget about today's win and be ready to win the series tomorrow.

"It's baseball — you have to move forward," he said. "After the game (Friday), you had a little trouble putting it to rest a little bit. We've had so many close games, you just got to be ready for the next day. If you're not, you'll lose that one."

CMU has won six of their last eight games.