April 25, 2003

Box Score

The Miami RedHawk softball team (20-18, 12-7) won their ninth straight game by blanking Buffalo (15-17, 4-9), 4-0, to give the program its longest win streak since 1991, as sophomore Jackie Poggendorf (Phoenix, Ariz./Shadow Mountain) won her sixth straight and sophomore Chelsie McWhorter (Lindon, Utah/Utah Valley State) hit a three-run home run.

The RedHawks kept the Bulls scoreless thanks to solid pitching by Poggendorf and some great defense, especially by centerfielder Jamie Carey (Pendleton, Ind./Pendleton Heights). Carey made a diving catch to save a run and brought one back over the wall in the first two innings.

"Jamie definitely kept us in the game defensively," said head coach Angie Jacobs. "Offensively, she was the spark plug that got the ball rolling."

In the fifth inning, Miami finally got on the board with a two-out rally. Carey earned her third hit of the day, advanced to third on a single by junior Jessica Zogaib (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) and then scored on a two-out RBI by freshman Becca Garcia (Martinez, Calif./College Park). After taking the 1-0 lead, sophomore Chelsie McWhorter (Lindon, Utah/Utah Valley State) put the game away when she stroked a three-run home run to score Zogaib and Garcia and give Miami a 4-0 advantage.

"We were waiting for someone to be aggressive at the plate and get the big hit," said Jacobs. "Before the fifth, we talked about refocusing and taking it to Buffalo and once we got going, our confidence followed."

Poggendorf pitched a complete game shutout and earned her sixth straight victory and ninth overall. Poggendorf, who hasn't given up an earned run in 26 innings, struck out 10 batters while allowing four Bulls hits.

"Every time she goes into the circle, she is maturing and getting better," said Jacobs. "Jackie has developed a lot of composure and this is the result."

The Red and White play the final two games of the three-game series on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in Buffalo N.Y.