Miami University
South Dakota St. (Game 2)
Softball Sweeps South Dakota State
3/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 10, 2009
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The strong pitching performances for freshman Jessica Simpson and junior Meredith Linch continued Tuesday as they led Miami to two wins over South Dakota State. In the first game, Simpson pitched the RedHawks to a 4-0 win, and Linch followed it up in leading Miami to a 4-1 win in game two, the team's sixth consecutive victory. The RedHawks are now 10-6 on the season.
Simpson pitched a complete game in the opener allowing only four hits and striking out three. It was her third consecutive shutout, and she now has a scoreless inning streak of 27 innings.
The RedHawks opened the scoring in the bottom of the third with an RBI single from Meghan Mawn that scored Jordan McElroy. They got some insurance with three runs in the bottom of the fifth. The big blow came when Sarah Billstrom tripled to score two.
In game two, Miami scored two runs in the top of the fourth when Jenna McGivney singled home McElroy and Lauren Odom reached on a fielder's choice that scored Ashley Gartland. Two more runs were scored in the sixth on a Billstrom home run.
Meanwhile Linch cruised along, shutting out the Jackrabbits until they scored a single run in the bottom of the seventh. She gave up seven hits and struck out four.
Miami will next participate in the San Diego Classic Tournament co-hosted by San Diego and San Diego State. The RedHawks will play San Diego State on Thursday at 10 p.m. (EDT).
