March 20, 2010

Canisius box

Michigan State box

Miami Invitational Homepage

OXFORD, Ohio--Miami University's softball team earned the program's first win over Michigan State after a narrow loss to Canisius on Saturday afternoon on the second day of the Miami Invitational. The RedHawks (10-13) topped Michigan State in their second game of the day, 3-1, after being edged by the Golden Griffins, 2-1.

In Miami's second game, Michigan State (10-14) took a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Lindsey Hansen hit a solo home run over the leftfield fence in the second at-bat for the Spartans.

The teams played four scoreless innings--with Miami manufacturing four hits during that stretch while limiting Michigan State to just two hits--until the RedHawks captured the lead in the top of the sixth inning. Junior centerfielder Kat Russette singled to left field to start the inning off for the RedHawks. Freshman Ashley Zappia entered the game to pinch run for Russette before senior shortstop Sarah Billstrom blasted a two-run shot over the left centerfield fence to lift the RedHawks to a 2-1 advantage.

Miami preserved its lead in the bottom of the sixth as junior catcher Jenna McGivney rocketed the ball to Billstrom at second base to catch Hansen stealing to end the inning. It was the 12th time McGivney has thrown out a player trying to steal in 17 attempts this season.

The RedHawks tacked on one more run in the top of the seventh when sophomore third baseman Daniela Torres drilled a solo home run over the leftfield fence, her second home run of the season and her career, to push the Miami advantage to 3-1.

Miami got out of the bottom of the seventh inning unscathed to capture the 3-1 win, marking the first time in 13 attempts that the RedHawks have defeated Michigan State.

Six RedHawks contributed to the nine-hit effort against the Spartans with senior second baseman Meghan Mawn going 3-for-4 and senior left fielder Alicia Hogl going 2-for-4 in the game. Senior Meredith Linch pitched a complete game, giving up just one run off four hits while striking out seven Spartans to move to 3-5 on the season.

In the RedHawks' first game, Canisius took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after Lauren Hope tripled to lead the inning off for the Golden Griffins and crossed home off a Lizzy Gatto sacrifice fly.

Miami collected a hit in the top of the second inning and two in the top of the fourth but it was not until the top of the fifth inning that the RedHawks put their first run on the board. Sophomore third baseman Daniela Torres reached base on a fielder's choice, before a Mawn double to left centerfield allowed Torres to score, evening the game at 1-1.

With two outs and Billstrom standing on second base after she singled to left field and a sacrifice bunt advanced her, sophomore designated player Casey Drees singled to send Billstrom home, handing the RedHawks a 2-1 edge.

Miami's lead was short lived, however, as Canisius' Paige Feiberger hit a two-run home run over the centerfield fence to give the Golden Griffins a 3-2 advantage in the bottom of the sixth inning. The RedHawks were within striking distance in the top of the seventh inning with runners on the corners and two outs, but Miami was not able to the advance the runners further, falling 3-2 to the Golden Griffins.

Eight RedHawks collected hits with freshman first baseman Shannon Tillett as the only RedHawk with multiple hits, going 2-for-2. Sophomore Jessica Simpson pitched 6.0 innings, giving up three runs off five hits while striking out seven Golden Griffins. Simpson dropped to 7-7 on the season.

Amanda Baun earned the win for Canisius (11-9), throwing 6.0 innings and giving up two runs off eight hits while striking out six batters to move to 7-4 on the season. Caroline Main threw one inning in relief to earn her first save of the season, giving up no runs and one hit.

Miami returns to action, playing the fourth game on Sunday to conclude the Miami Invitational. The RedHawks face Toledo, in a non-conference contest, at approximately 4 p.m. Games begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday.