May 4, 2010
Final Stats
OXFORD, Ohio - Two shutout pitching performances, along with an all-around great day from senior shortstop Sarah Billstrom led Miami to a doubleheader sweep of Wright State on Tuesday. The RedHawks won game one, 8-0, in six innings. They took the nightcap, 2-0. Miami improves to 27-22 on the year, while the Raiders fall to 24-26-1.
The opener stayed scoreless through the first three innings as Jessica Simpson remained in control of the Wright State batters. She ended up allowing only three infield hits in six innings pitched, not letting a single hit reach the outfield.
Miami broke through with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, Billstrom doubled to right center. She advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when the third baseman misplayed a Briana Burke groundball. Later in the inning, Jenna McGivney singled to bring home Alicia Hogl.
In the fifth inning, the RedHawks scored four more runs as Wright State committed three errors in the frame. A pop fly with the bases loaded and two outs was dropped to bring home a run. Given extra life, Taylor Rice followed with a single to score Meghan Mawn. Immediately after that, Jenna McGivney singled to right field to bring home Hogl and Billstrom and make it 6-0.
Miami earned the run rule victory in the bottom of the sixth when Casey Drees singled up the middle to score Lindsay Randall and Ashley Zappia.
McGivney finished game one 2-for-3 with three RBI. Billstrom was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
With two outs in the bottom of the first of game two, Billstrom hit a single off the pitcher's glove. She followed with a steal of second, which allowed Hogl to drive her home on a single through the right side. The RedHawks made it 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth when Burke doubled to deep left field to score Billstrom.
Meanwhile, starting pitcher Meredith Linch took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. She finally allowed a single to Jamie Perkins with two outs in the top of the fifth. In the sixth inning, Wright State got the first two hitters on base via hits. The Raiders moved them to second and third via a sacrifice bunt. China Frost then hit a screaming liner that was going into left field, but Billstrom stretched out and made the tough catch. Linch then finished the threat with a strikeout of Justine Shilt.
Wright State would once again threaten in the top of the seventh when they loaded the bases with two out. However, Linch forced Kristen Bradshaw into a harmless groundout to secure Miami's second shutout of the day.
Linch allowed only five hits in seven innings pitched. She struck out five in earning her 11th victory of the season. Billstrom was 1-for-2 with two runs scored, while Hogl was 2-for-2 with a walk and one RBI.
Miami will be back in action this weekend for the final games of Mid-American Conference play before the tournament begins next week. The RedHawks will host Ohio in a doubleheader on Friday starting at 1 p.m. that can be heard live on MSNi. Miami will then welcome Akron into town for single games on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Prior to Sunday's game, the RedHawks' six seniors will be honored in a pregame ceremony.
