March 28, 2009
Game one box
Game two box
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - Jessica Simpson led Miami to a two-game doubleheader sweep against Central Michigan on Saturday. She pitched a one-hitter against the Chippewas in the opener as the RedHawks won 1-0. She came in relief in game two and kept Miami in the game until it scored seven runs in the top of the seventh to win 8-1. The RedHawks improve to 16-13 overall and 3-1 in the Mid-American Conference. Central Michigan is 7-14 overall and 1-3 in the MAC.
Simpson was brilliant during the first game, not giving up a hit until Brittini Merchant hit a single through the right side of the infield in the bottom of the fifth. She only threw 91 pitches in the complete game victory, striking out eight while walking only one batter.
The RedHawks recorded all the runs they needed in the top of the first. With Jordan McElroy on second base and one out, Meghan Mawn doubled to bring her home. Sarah Billstrom singled to advance Mawn to third, and Jenna McGivney scored her with a deep sacrifice fly to center field.
Billstrom was perfect at the plate for Miami, going 3-for-3 with a walk. Mawn was 2-for-4 with one run scored and an RBI. Alexis Javier also had a nice day, hitting 2-for-3.
Miami put its first run of game two on the board in the top of the second. Kathryn Russette singled home Billstrom to give the RedHawks a 1-0 lead.
Linch started well for the RedHawks to begin the game, not giving up a run through the first three innings. That included getting out of a bases loaded with one out jam in the bottom of the third inning. After Central Michigan led off the bottom of the fourth with a double, Simpson was brought back into the game. The RedHawks got out of that threat with a great catch and throw out double play by McElroy in rightfield as she made a perfect toss to Daniela Torres to tag the lead runner at third base.
The Chippewas finally were able to get on the board with a run in the bottom of the fifth. In the top of the seventh, Torres and Russette led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Two batters later, Javier singled to load the bases. Miami then scored two runs when Central Michigan gave up two straight walks. Billstrom then broke the game open with a single through the right side that the right fielder misplayed. That allowed three more to scores to make it 6-1. McGivney singled to score Billstrom and another error by the Chippewas allowed pinch runner Lindsay Randall to score and complete the RedHawk scoring.
Simpson threw four innings in game two to improve her record to 11-7. She gave up four hits while striking out two. Russette was the RedHawks leading hitter, going 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored.
Miami returns home next weekend for more MAC action. The RedHawks will host Kent State for a doubleheader on Friday, April 3 starting at 1 p.m. They then will play Buffalo in single games on Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, April 5 at 1 p.m.
