April 30, 2010

Game One Box

Game Two Box

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Two great pitching performances by starters Meredith Linch and Jessica Simpson led Miami to a sweep of its doubleheader against Western Michigan on Friday. The RedHawks improve to 25-20 overall and 10-6 in the Mid-American Conference. The Broncos fall to 11-21 overall and 6-10 in the MAC.

Linch took the circle for Miami in game one. She allowed only one run, a fourth inning solo home run that just cleared the left field fence. She gave five hits and struck out seven.

The RedHawks struck first in the top of the third when Meghan Mawn singled home Ashley Zappia. After WMU tied it up in the fourth, Miami took the lead for good in the top of the fifth inning. With one out, Jordan McElroy and Mawn reach base on a walk. After a wild pitch moved each of them up a base, Alicia Hogl doubled both of them home to make it 3-1.

Hogl finished the game 2-for-3 with two RBI. Mawn was 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.

Western Michigan began the second game by loading the bases off Simpson with only one out. She responded by striking out the next two batters to get out of the threat. She became nearly unhittable after that only allowing one more base runner the remainder of the game. Simpson finished with a complete game shutout, allowing only four hits while striking out six.

Miami scored its first run in the top of the third when Mawn drew a bases loaded walk. The RedHawks made it 2-0 in the fifth when a McElroy single brought home Taylor Rice. They added two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Kathryn Russette and Daniela Torres led off the frame with singles. Two batters later, Sarah Billstrom brought them both home with a double to left center.

Billstrom finished the game 2-for-3 with two RBI. McElroy was 2-for-4 with one RBI.

Miami continues its road trip Saturday with a 3 p.m. (EDT) game against Northern Illinois.