March 16, 2010
Final Stats
OXFORD, Ohio - Miami and Western Illinois combined for 21 innings played during Tuesday's doubleheader after the opening contest ends up going 14 innings. Unfortunately for the RedHawks it was the Fighting Leathernecks coming out on top in both games, winning the extra inning marathon 5-1, and taking a 5-3 decision in the nightcap. Miami falls to 8-12 on the season, while WIU improves to 14-5.
Game one was a pitchers' dual between Miami's Jessica Simpson and Western Illinois' Kamren Ferguson, as neither pitcher would surrender a run for the first 11 innings. Simpson, who earlier in the day was named the MAC East Division Pitcher of the Week, had a bend but not break outing as she gave up an average of a hit per inning, but always buckled down and got the third out.
Miami had a chance to win in the bottom of the 11th after Meghan Mawn tripled with one out, but the RedHawks were unable to bring her around to score.
The Leathernecks finally broke through in the top of the 12th when with two outs Lauren Furgala singled and Beth Golitko doubled to bring her home. However, the RedHawks would not give up as in the bottom of the frame, Sarah Billstrom hit her third home run of the season to keep the game going.
The big blow came in the top of the 14th, when with the bases loaded and one out a potential inning ending double play grounder took a horrible bounce in front of Mawn and instead two runs scored. WIU added two more runs late in the frame to complete the scoring.
Mawn finished the game 3-for-6, while Daniela Torres was 3-for-5. Simpson ended up throwing 13.1 innings, surrendering only one earned run.
In the nightcap the Leathernecks struck first with a run in the top of the first inning. Miami answered with a run of its own in the bottom of the second. Billstrom led off with a double to left center. Two batters later, Casey Drees doubled to right center to bring her home. It was the first RBI of Drees' collegiate career.
The RedHawks added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Alicia Hogl led off with a double to centerfield. Billstrom reach on an error by the second baseman. After Billstrom stole second, Shannon Tillett doubled to deep right center, scoring both Hogl and Billstrom.
Western Illinois retook the lead in the top of the fifth inning when they scored four runs off five hits and a RedHawk error. Miami was unable to answer, and dropped the contest 5-3.
Tillett finished the day 1-for-3 with two RBI. Billstrom was 1-for-2 with two runs scored. Shalise Lugo threw 2.2 innings in relief, giving up no runs on two hits.
The RedHawks return to action this weekend when they host Robert Morris, Canisius, Michigan State and Toledo for the Miami Invitational. It starts on Friday with a game against Robert Morris at 4 p.m.
