Miami University
San Diego
Pitching Leads RedHawks to Doubleheader Sweep of San Diego
3/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 8, 2009
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The softball team had to play some extra innings Sunday afternoon, but strong pitching from Jessica Simpson and Meredith Linch got the RedHawks a doubleheader sweep of San Diego. Miami won game one 1-0 in nine innings, and took game two 4-3 in eight innings. The RedHawks improve to 8-6 overall, while the Toreros fall to 3-14.
Game one was a pitcher's duel between Simpson and San Diego's Jennifer Ellenbeck. Simpson gave up only four hits and struck out 11 in nine complete innings, while only allowing one batter to reach third base. Miami finally was able to break the duel in the top of the ninth when Meghan Mawn led the inning off with a single. Lauren Odom sacrificed her to second. After Jenna McGivney reached on an infield single, Sarah Billstrom singled to load the bases. Two batters later, Daniela Torres walked to force in the winning run.
The RedHawks recorded seven hits in the first game, led by a 2-for-4 day from McGivney.
After Simpson shutout the Toreros for nine innings, Linch took over and shut them out for the first six innings of game two, allowing only one hit and striking out five.
Miami got on board with two runs in the top of the third. Mawn recorded an RBI by singling home Alexis Javier, and the next batter McGivney scored Jordan McElroy on a fielder's choice groundout. The RedHawks scored one more run in the top of the fifth off another Mawn RBI single.
San Diego was finally able to break through Miami's pitching in the bottom of the seventh with three runs off Linch and Shalise Lugo. With the score tied and runners on second and third, the RedHawks brought Simpson back in and she forced a groundout and a strikeout to end the inning.
In the bottom of the eighth McGivney hit the first home run of career, a shot to left field that gave Miami a 4-3 lead. Simpson set down the Toreros in order in the bottom of the eighth to earn her second victory of the day and sixth of her short career.
Mawn finished the day 2-for-3 with two RBI. McElroy was 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
The RedHawks return to action on Tuesday when they play a doubleheader against South Dakota State at the San Diego State Softball Stadium. The first game is scheduled for 2 p.m. (EDT).
