Miami Softball Hosts Penn State, MSU, Toledo and Youngstown State
3/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 20, 2008
OXFORD, OHIO - A power-packed lineup of competition comes to Miami University's Softball Stadium this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Mar. 21-23) for the Best Western Miami Invitational.
Penn State and Michigan State from the Big Ten Conference, plus Mid-American Conference foe Toledo and neighboring Youngstown State will join Coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly's RedHawks for a schedule of 11 games this weekend, starting at 12 noon on Friday.
The schedule:
Friday, March 21
12 noon Youngstown State vs. MIAMI
2 p.m. Youngstown State vs. TOLEDO
4 p.m. MIAMI vs. Toledo
Saturday, March 22
10 a.m. YOUNGSTOWN STATE vs. Michigan State
12 noon TOLEDO vs. Michigan State
2 p.m. Youngstown State vs. PENN STATE
4 p.m. MIAMI vs. Penn State
Sunday, March 23
10 a.m. YOUNGSTOWN STATE vs. Michigan State
12 noon TOLEDO vs. Michigan State
2 p.m. Youngstown vs. PENN STATE
4 p.m. MIAMI vs. Penn State
REDHAWKS LOOK TO IMPROVE RECORD: The 6-12 RedHawks had a Wednesday doubleheader at Purdue cancelled by rain. Though Schoenly's troops lost three of their four games in Kentucky last weekend, they are 3-3 over their last six contests. Miami's only victory last weekend was a 3-2 triumph over host Louisville.
BILLSTROM IS MIAMI'S MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE: After hitting a solid .500 during the previous weekend at the 49er Invitational in Charlotte, North Carolina, sophomore shortstop Sarah Billstrom had another impressive weekend. Over the weekend, the Miami RedHawks faced tough teams - Michigan, Louisville, Minnesota and the University of Kentucky. While facing some of the top pitching in the country, Billstrom went four-for-nine for a .444 average for the road-trip. During the tight win against the Louisville Cardinals, Billstrom stretched out and snagged a line drive over her head, ending the inning and stranding three Cards on base, keeping the game tied at 2. In the bottom of the sixth, Billstrom singled up the middle - her RBI putting the RedHawks up 3-2. She is currently second on the team for batting average (.341), third for stolen bases (4 for 4), and second for doubles (3).
POPSON STAYS HOT: Through 18 games, first baseman Halle Popson leads all RedHawk hitters with an impressive .413 batting average. She has scored 24 runs in 46 official at-bats, while collecting 19 hits. Thanks to 19 walks, her on-base percentage is .591. Popson currently holds the Miami career record for walks (70) and runs scored (117).
MIAMI'S OTHER OFFENSIVE STARS: Senior Breanna Robinson continues to show her strength with 19 RBIs already this season and 30 total bases. Sophomores Sarah Billstrom and Alicia Hogl are hitting .341 and .328 respectively and have nine stolen bases combined. Freshman Meghan Mawn is also making a name for herself, batting .314 with six RBIs and a stolen base.
PITCHING DUO: Shalise Lugo and Meredith Linch will split duties on the mound in Miami's five games against Toledo, Michigan State, Youngstown State and Penn State. Lugo leads the team with a 3.64 ERA in 13 games (W-L record of 2-6), while Linch is 4-6 with a 4.71 ERA in 16 appearances.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Last year's Miami Invitational celebrated the grand opening of the $4.5 million Miami Softball Stadium.
MIAMI'S GAMES: Miami will open the tournament by facing Youngstown State at 12 noon on Friday, then will play Toledo at 4 p.m. Miami squares off with Michigan State at 2 p.m. Saturday. Youngstown State and Miami follow at 4 p.m. The RedHawks close out the weekend Sunday at 4 p.m. against the Penn State Nittany Lions. Live stats via GAMETRACKER will be available for all games over the weekend.
THE COMPETITION: The Penn State Nittany Lions (16-8) are riding a big come from behind win against Boston University this past weekend. Jackie Hill was awarded Big Ten Pitcher of the Week earlier this week, as well as Student Athlete of the Week. The Nittany Lions' team ERA is at an even 1.00 after 24 games. Head Coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly spent eight years with Penn State's softball program as an assistant coach.
Michigan State ended last season leading the Big Ten in hitting, finishing 33-26. They return senior pitcher Lesley Noel, who finished last year with a record of 9-8, with 86 strikeouts, and a 3.27 ERA. The Spartans also return senior centerfielder Nikki Nicosia, who hit .357 last season with 71 hits and 21 stolen bases, earning first-team All Big-Ten accolades. The Michigan State Spartans have a record of 12-12 so far in 2008.
The Penguins of Youngstown State are coming off a tough road-trip, and are currently 0-7. The Guins won the Horizon League title in 2006, and, with a veteran roster, hope to compete for the title once again. Youngstown State returns six seniors, and returns a total of 14 letter winners.
Mid-American Conference rival Toledo finished the 2007 season at 10-32, and is currently 4-4. The Rockets return veteran left-handed pitcher Sierra Pereira (0-2) and Shana Szypka (3-0, 1.68 ERA). Toledo's top offensive threats have been Lacey Levier (.444), Leslie Stong (.400) and Erica Singer (.381).
HISTORY: Miami and Toledo met for the first time in 1978. Toledo currently leads the all time series 41 games to 27 games, with Miami recording wins for the last two meetings.
The RedHawks and Spartans have battled 10 times in their series history. Miami is looking for their first win against Michigan State in this 11th contest.
Youngstown State has faced the RedHawks 13 times since 1977, and the Penguins have won 8 of the 13 games.
Miami and Penn State have met twice, once in 1983 and once again in 1998. Miami came out on top on both occasions.
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SOFTBALL TEAM HOSTS EASTER EGG HUNT SUNDAY AFTERNOON: Miami University's softball complex will be the site of an Egg Hunt for area kids on Sunday, March 23, following the RedHawks' softball game versus Penn State. Kids and parents will be teamed up with Miami's softball players as they hunt for special treats. All parents who register on Sunday will be automatically entered to win a $50 gas card.
For more information, contact D'Angelo Solomon with Miami Athletics' Marketing Staff at 5113-330-1199.
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