May 8, 2010
Final Stats
OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami softball team used a sixth inning home run by senior Sarah Billstrom to earn a come-from-behind 4-2 win over Akron on Saturday night. With their fifth consecutive victory, the RedHawks improve to 30-22 overall and 13-8 in the Mid-American Conference. The Zips fall to 20-33 overall and 7-14 in the MAC.
Taking advantage of several infield hits, Akron 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 the frame with a double down the left field line. A groundout from Alicia Hogl moved her over to third, and she came home on a Briana Burke sacrifice fly. The Zips regained the lead at 2-1 after a run in the top of the third.
It stayed that way until the bottom of the sixth as Miami had trouble solving starting pitcher Alex Reiderman. The team finally got to her when Daniela Torres forced her way onto base with a bunt. Jordan McElroy sacrificed her over to second, while Meghan Mawn brought her home with a single to left center to tie the score at two. Billstrom then came up and blasted a two-run home that went 10 feet past the centerfield wall to secure the 4-2 victory.
Jessica Simpson pitched well in securing her 18th victory of the season. She settled down after giving up those infield hits early in the game and ended up pitching all seven innings, giving up two earned runs on seven hits. She struck out two.
Billstrom finished the game 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. Mawn was 1-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI.
Miami concludes its regular season with another game against Akron on Sunday at 1 p.m. Approximately 20 minutes before the start of the game, the RedHawks will hold their annual Senior Day ceremony on the field. Billstrom, Burke, Hogl, Meredith Linch, Shalise Lugo and Lindsay Randall will be honored for all of their accomplishments in the pregame event.
