April 6, 2010
Final Stats
RICHMOND, Ky. - Miami made it five wins in its past six games with a doubleheader sweep of Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday. The RedHawks won the opener 2-0, and took the nightcap 6-4. Miami improves to 16-15 overall, while the Colonels fall to 11-25.
Meredith Linch's strong pitching was the story of game one. She threw a complete game shutout allowing only three hits and one walk. Only one runner reached second base the entire game. She finished with six strikeouts to improve her record to 5-6.
Miami got its runs in the top of the fourth inning. Alicia Hogl led off the frame with a double to right center. Sarah Billstrom moved her over to third with a successful sacrifice bunt. Shannon Tillett then singled her home to make it 1-0. After Lindsay Randall was put in to pinch run for Tillett, a Kathryn Russette groundout moved Randall over to second, while Casey Drees singled up the middle to bring her home.
Tillett finished the game 2-for-3 with one RBI. Drees was 1-for-3 with one RBI.
The RedHawks struck very quickly for four runs in the top of the first inning of game two. Daniela Torres was walked to begin the game. Meghan Mawn and Hogl followed with singles to load the bases. Billstrom then hit her seventh home run of the season over the left field fence to make it 4-0. It was her first career grand slam.
Eastern Kentucky answered with a grand slam home run of its own in the bottom of the second inning off starter Shalise Lugo. Miami brought Jessica Simpson in for a rare relief appearance to begin the third. She would then proceed to keep the Colonels off the board for the rest of the game.
In the top of the sixth inning, Miami loaded the bases with only one out. Billstrom once again came to bat and this time drew a walk to force a run in. Two batters later, Russette singled to score Torres and complete the scoring.
For the game Billstrom was 2-for-3 with one walk and a career-high five RBI. Russette was 1-for-4 with one RBI. Simpson finished with five innings pitched giving up three hits and striking out three.
Miami returns to Mid-American Conference play this weekend at home. The RedHawks will host Eastern Michigan on Friday for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. They will then take on Central Michigan for single games on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
