Miami University
Portland State
RedHawks Split Day Two of Husky Softball Classic
3/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 13, 2010
SEATTLE - The Miami RedHawks earned a split Friday at the Husky Softball Classic. They opened with a 4-1 victory over Portland State and followed with another competitive effort against number one ranked Washington, falling 6-3. Miami is now 7-9 on the season.
In the game against Portland State, Miami got on the board right away in the top of the first inning. Jordan McElroy led off with a double. Sarah Billstrom sacrificed her over to third base with a bunt, and she scored when the Viking pitcher threw an illegal pitch.
In the top of the second, Daniela Torres made it 2-0 when she hit her first career home run, a solo shot to left field. Playing in front of her hometown fans, Bellingham, Washington native Alicia Hogl hit a two-run homer to left field in the fourth to complete the scoring for Miami.
Jessica Simpson was solid in the circle for the RedHawks giving up only one run on four hits in seven innings of work. She struck out a season-high nine batters to even her record to 5-5. Hogl finished as the team's top batter, going 1-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored.
After having a perfect game thrown against them yesterday, Miami was much more competitive offensively against the top ranked Huskies on Friday. The RedHawks took the lead in the top of the first after McElroy led off with a walk, Billstrom singled her to third and a Jenna McGivney groundout brought her home. Washington would answer with two runs in the bottom of the first off starter Meredith Linch.
Linch would settle down and keep the defending national champions off the board for the next two innings. In the top of the fourth, Torres led off with a single. Hogl singled to centerfield to move Torres to second. Two batters later, Kristen Sheffield walked to load the bases. Ashley Zappia would then hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield which would allow Torres to score and tie the game at two.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Huskies finally chased Linch with four runs to take a 6-2 advantage. Simpson came in to relieve her and much like the previous night shut down the Washington offense from there. Miami was able to score one final run in the top of the sixth inning when an error on the centerfielder allowed Torres to score from third.
Torres finished the game 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Hogl was a perfect 3-for-3 on the day. Simpson pitched 2.2 innings, giving up one run on three hits. Miami concludes play at the Husky Softball Classic with two games on Saturday.
The RedHawks will have a rematch with Portland State at 1:30 p.m. (EST) and will follow with a 4 p.m. (EST) game against Seattle. Miami opens the home portion of its schedule on Tuesday when it welcomes Western Illinois to Oxford for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
