March 30, 2003
Box Score
Miami's softball team pulled off a three-game sweep of the Ohio Bobcats with a 2-1 victory on Sunday at Miami Softball Field, thanks to a walk-off RBI single by sophomore Sarah Buffie (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) in the bottom of the seventh inning and strong pitching from freshman Courtney Salmon (Auburn, Wash./Auburn).
"I'm really proud and happy for the kids because they've worked so hard," said head coach Angie Jacobs." They're staying focused and coming ready to play."
The RedHawks started right where they left off yesterday by scoring one run in the second inning. After an out, sophomore Keri McCready (Phoenix, Ariz./North Canyon) walked and was advanced to second on a Laura Finell (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury) sacrifice bunt. Junior Jessica Zogaib (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) finished the bottom of the order rally when she doubled down the left field line to score McCready.
Ohio matched the run in the fifth when Erika Rothbauer singled to lead off the inning. After a fielder's choice, Crystal Turner singled in the only Bobcat run to knot the score at one apiece.
Despite leaving 13 runners on base, Miami was able to capitalize in the bottom of the seventh. Senior Angie Gerber (La Salle, Mich./Mason) led off the inning with a walk and then moved to second when freshman Becca Garcia (Martinez, Calif./College Park) singled. Sophomore Jackie Poggendorf (Phoenix, Ariz./Shadow Mountain)loaded the bases on an error by the Ohio shortstop to set up the dramatic finish. Buffie hit a fly ball deep in the right-center gap to score Gerber for the game-winner.
"We work on these situations in practice everyday," said Jacobs. "Sarah did a great job and it's about time that we had some luck. Miami softball really hasn't had a lot of luck on our side, and it's finally turning our way."
Salmon improved to 8-5 by pitching seven innings and only allowing one run. The right-hander struck out five Bobcats while allowing five hits. Kerri Harley pitched six innings, only allowing one earned run for Ohio.
"Courtney was awesome out there," said Jacobs. "I don't think they really got a solid hit off her all day."
The RedHawks improve their record to 10-12 and 4-1 in the MAC. Ohio, the preseason MAC East favorite, drops to 3-13-1 and 0-6-1 in the MAC.
Miami takes its record to 22-7 over the Bobcats in the "Battle of the Bricks," which is a running tally kept of all the head-to-head meetings between the RedHawks and Bobcats this season.
"This is nice, and we're going to enjoy it today," said Jacobs. "But then we need to go to work."
Miami plays in its first MAC mid-week game on Wednesday when it travels to Muncie, Ind. for a double header against the Ball State Cardinals.
