Feb. 13, 2009
Purdue box
Appalachian State box
TALLAHASEE, Fla. - The Miami University softball team earned a split in its first day of action at the Florida State Sunshine Classic. The RedHawks fell to Purdue 2-0 in the opener before coming back to defeat Appalachian State 4-3. Miami is now 1-1 on the season.
In the game against Appalachian State, the RedHawks got on the board in the bottom of the second inning. With the bases loaded, Jordan McElroy reached on an error by the first baseman, which scored Alexis Javier. The next batter, Meghan Mawn, was hit by a pitch, which scored Kathryn Russette.
Miami made it 3-0 when a Katie Osburn steal of second allowed fellow freshman Daniela Torres to steal home. The Mountaineers were able to tie the game at three with home runs off starter Meredith Linch (1-0) in the fourth and sixth innings.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, McElroy led off with a walk, which Mawn followed with a single to advance her to second. Sarah Billstrom put down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third, and Torres drove home McElroy with a RBI producing groundout.
After retiring the first batter in the top of the seventh, Linch gave up a single and was relieved by freshman pitcher Jessica Simpson. Simpson also gave up a single to the first batter she faced, but retired the next two batters on a fielder's choice and a popup for her first career save.
Mawn finished the day 2-for-2 with one RBI. McElroy was 2-for-3 with a walk, while Osburn finished 2-for-4. Linch was solid on the mound, giving up three runs on five hits with four strikeouts.
Simpson (0-1) had a terrific debut against a strong Purdue lineup, giving up only one earned run (two total) in six innings of work. She gave up seven hits, while striking out two. Simpson kept the Boilermakers off the board until the bottom of the sixth inning when a walk followed by two bunts put runners at first and third with one out. A throwing error by catcher Jenna McGivney on a steal attempt scored the first runner, while a double later in the inning completed the scoring.
Mawn was 2-for-3 in the opener, while Billstrom went 1-for-2. Mawn finished the day hitting 4-for-5 with an RBI.
The RedHawks complete play in the Sunshine Classic on Saturday with two more games. Miami will take on Mississippi State at 12:15 p.m., followed by a 2:30 p.m. game against the host Florida State Seminoles.
