May 9, 2009
Final Stats
AKRON, Ohio - Sarah Billstrom hit a home run to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning, and Jessica Simpson through her second consecutive shutout as the Miami RedHawks defeated Western Michigan 1-0 Saturday to win the 2009 Mid-American Conference Championship. The RedHawks earn the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history.
At the conclusion of the tournament, Simpson was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Billstrom and Kat Russette joined her on the All-Tournament team.
Today's game was a pitcher's dual between Simpson and Bronco starter Meredith Whitney. Both pitchers allowed only two hits through the first five innings and had no runners reach third base.
After the RedHawks put Western Michigan down in order in the top of the sixth inning, Billstrom was able to connect with a long shot that landed about 20 feet past the leftfield fence. It proved to be all Miami needed as Simpson forced three consecutive groundouts to Billstrom in the top of the seventh inning to preserve the win.
Billstrom finished the day 1-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI. Simpson allowed only two hits while striking out six. She finished the tournament with a 4-0 record and a 0.50 ERA.
Miami will find out its NCAA fate on Sunday when the bracket is revealed at 10 p.m. on ESPNU.
