Miami University
Penn State
Softball Drops Two Pitchers' Duels at Buzz Classic
3/4/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 4, 2011
WOODSTOCK, Ga. - The Miami softball team dropped a couple of tough pitchers' duels at the Buzz Classic on Friday. In their first game, the RedHawks fell to Penn State, 1-0. Miami then was defeated by Georgia State, 4-2, in the nightcap. The RedHawks are now 7-5 on the season.
Junior pitcher Jessica Simpson matched Nittany Lion starter Lisa Akamine in putting up zeros through the first five innings of the opener. The difference came in the top of the sixth inning when Kacie Hatfield hit a solo home run for what would be the only score of the day. Simpson ended up with the tough-luck loss, giving up one earned run on nine hits, while striking out seven.
Miami's best chance to score was in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs, Kayla Ledbetter hit an infield single to second base. Taylor Rice and Shannon Tillett walked to load the bases. Akamine was then able to get a strike to end the inning and the threat.
Georgia State was able to tag RedHawk starter Paige Myers for four runs in the bottom of the second of the nightcap. Katie Osburn came in relief and shut down the Panthers attack. She did not allow a hit in 4.1 innings pitched while walking only one.
Miami got on the board in the top of the fifth inning. Jenna McGivney hit her first home run of the season over the centerfield wall. In the top of the seventh, McGivney led off with a single through the left side and was replaced by pinch runner Brandi Hernandez. Kathryn Russette reached on an error by the shortstop that also advanced Hernandez to second. Kristy Arbour then singled through right side to bring Hernandez home. After an out, Meghan Mawn walked to load the bases. Ledbetter followed with a line shot that was caught by the second baseman. Georgia State was able to double Mawn off first base on the play to end the game.
Arbour finished the game 3-for-3 with one RBI. McGivney was 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.
Miami continues play at the Buzz Classic Saturday with two games. The RedHawks will take on Western Kentucky at 1 p.m. and Mercer at 6 p.m. The forecast calls for heavy rain in the Atlanta area tomorrow so check with MURedHawks.com for the latest updates on the softball team's schedule.
