April 22, 2007
Box Score
MUNCIE, Ind. - Sophomore Alexis Javier drove in a career-high three runs and freshman Shalise Lugo threw 4.2 innings of scoreless relief as the Miami University women's softball team (20-31-1; 8-6 MAC) pushed its season-best winning streak to six games with a 4-2 victory over the Ball State Cardinals (19-28; 6-8 MAC) Sunday afternoon. Javier's three-run double highlighted a four-run fourth inning that erased a 2-0 deficit and helped Miami secure its longest winning streak since winning seven straight games from March 30-April 6, 2005.
A day after Ball State committed five errors, Miami took advantage of four Cardinals' errors, as all four of the RedHawks' runs were unearned. Lugo sparkled in the circle after coming on in relief of starting pitcher Meredith Linch, as she tied a career-high with nine strikeouts and allowed only two hits, both singles, over the final 4.2 innings. Lugo (7-5) picked up her seventh win of the season with her impressive pitching effort.
After playing two-and-a-half scoreless innings, Ball State jumped on top, 2-0 in the bottom of the third after a two-RBI double from Taylor Yancey. After a hit batsmen and a fielder's choice put a pair of runners on base, Yancey ripped a one-out double down the leftfield line, putting Miami in a two-run hole.
Miami responded with four runs in the top of the fourth as it took advantage of three Ball State miscues. After a groundout to start the inning, junior Christine Bills singled to the shortstop and junior Breanna Robinson reached on an error by the third baseman. A strikeout put Miami down to its final out, but an error by the Ball State second baseman on junior Kimberly Williams' pop up loaded the bases, and another error by the Cardinals' third baseman on Natalie Savona's hard grounder plated Miami first run of the game.
Sophomore Alexis Javier then cleared the bases with her two-out, three-RBI double and gave Miami a 4-2 lead. Javier's double, which was fourth of the season, was laced over the head of Ball State leftfielder Kelly Jeziorski, who was playing a relatively shallow left field. The RBIs were Javier's 10th, 11th and 12th of the season.
Miami slammed the door on Ball State over the final three innings as Lugo retired the final eight batters in order. Lugo recorded five of the final eight outs via strikeout.
Six different Miamians picked up hits, with Javier (1-for-2) driving in three of Miami's four runs.
Miami plays its final non-conference games of the regular season Wednesday when it travels to the Ohio State University for a midweek doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. in Columbus.
