Miami University
Mercer
Softball Splits Finale at KSU Classic
2/12/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 12, 2012
WOODSTOCK, Ga. - The Miami University softball team completed play at the KSU Classic with a split on Sunday. The RedHawks defeated Mercer, 11-4, in the opener, before falling, 2-0, to host Kennesaw State in the nightcap. Miami is now 3-1 on the season.
At the conclusion of the tournament, Jessica Simpson and Allie Larrabee were each named to the All-Tournament Team.
In the opener, Mercer struck first with a three-run home run in the top of the first inning. Miami fought right back with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Kirstie Fehrenbach led off the inning with a single to shortstop. Tiyona Marshall moved her over to second with a sacrifice. Daniela Torres than stepped to the plate and hit a home run over the centerfield wall to pull the RedHawks to within one at 3-2.
The Bears took a 4-2 lead with a run in the top of the third inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Casey Drees led off with a double and was lifted for pinch-runner Kylie McChesney. Remy Edwards then followed with a single up the middle that brought McChensey home and made it 4-3.
Miami took the lead for good with a five-run fifth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Casey Drees reached on a fielder's choice, while Shanyn McIntyre scored on a throwing error by the Mercer shortstop. Edwards gave the Red and White a 5-4 lead when her sacrifice fly brought home Allie Larrabee. Taylor Rice was next, singling home Jordan McElroy. After Kristy Arbour singled to reload the bases, Fehrenbach singled to leftfield to score Drees and Rice and make it 8-4.
The RedHawks got some insurance with three more runs in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, a double from Drees moved Ashley Zappia to third base. Zappia would then score on a wild pitch. Edwards would single up the middle to score Drees and make it 10-4. Two batters later, Kayla Ledbetter would reach on a throwing error by the shortstop, allowing Edwards to come home and complete the RedHawks scoring at 11-4.
Edwards finished the opener 2-for-3 with three RBI and one run scored. Fehrenbach was 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Rice was 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.
Paige Myers earned the victory in relief for Miami. She went 4.1 innings, allowing one earned run on five hits, while striking out two.
The nightcap against Kennesaw State was a pitchers' duel between the RedHawks' Jessica Simpson and the Owls' Jessica Cross. Simpson pitched well, allowing only a single run in the bottom of the second and a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth. She gave up only five hits, while striking out six.
Miami was only able to manage three hits on the day against Cross. The RedHawks best chance at scoring came in the top of the sixth. With two outs, Marshall reached safely on a bunt single. Larrabee followed by reaching on an error by the shortstop, the fielding error allowed both runners to advance to second and third base respectively. Cross then followed by getting Drees to foul out to first base, ending Miami's threat.
Fehrenbach and Marshall were each 1-for-3 during the game, while McChesney finished 1-for-2.
The RedHawks will be off next weekend. Miami returns to action Feb. 24-26 when it travels to Memphis, Tenn. for the Blues City Classic.
