March 31, 2007
Box Score
ATHENS, Ohio - A pair of sixth-inning runs by the Ohio Bobcats (14-16; 3-0 MAC) sunk the Miami University softball team (10-25-1; 1-2 MAC) in a 2-1 loss Saturday afternoon. On an overcast and drizzly day at Ohio Softball Field, the RedHawks carried a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning before the Bobcats pushed across a pair of runs and thwarted Miami's seventh-inning rally.
Miami loaded the bases in the top of the second but came up empty, and a wacky play in the top of the third also kept the RedHawks off the scoreboard. After a one-out bunt single from junior Halle Popson and a walk to senior Leslie Macedo put a pair of runners on base, freshman Sarah Billstrom lifted a long fly ball to deep centerfield. Ohio outfielder Debbie Szalejko had the ball drop out of her glove on the warning track, but a perfect 8-6-2 relay throw cut down Popson attempting to score from second, keeping the game scoreless.
Junior Kimberly Williams ended the scoreless deadlock in the top of the fifth inning when she led off by lacing the 1-2 offering from Ohio's Michelle Sauter off the scoreboard in straightaway centerfield. The solo shot was Williams' second round tripper of the season and fifth RBI.
A web-gem quality play from Billstrom in the bottom of the fifth inning kept Miami's lead at 1-0, as her diving stop of a line drive led to a rally-ending double play. After Maureen McKelvey led off the inning with a single, Alicia Catlette hit a sharp liner destined for centerfield, but Billstrom dove to her left to snare the sinking liner. She then fired from her knees to double-up McKelvey at first, with Popson completing the double play by making a tough scoop of Billstrom's throw.
Freshman Meredith Linch tossed five scoreless innings before Ohio pushed across a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. A RBI single from Kelly Rodriguez on a sharp grounder back to Linch and a run-scoring groundout from Marian Davis gave the Bobcats a 2-1 lead heading into the seventh.
Miami brought the winning run to the plate with two outs in the seventh after Macedo singled and Billstrom drew a full-count walk, but a line out ended the game.
Popson (2-for-4) was the only Miamian with a multi-hit game, while Williams (1-for-3) drove in the RedHawks' lone run. Linch (4-12) took the loss in the circle.
Miami closes its MAC opening weekend tomorrow with a 1 p.m. game against Ohio.
