Miami University
Memphis
Miami Sweeps Opening Day at Blues City Classic
2/24/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 24, 2012
Southeast Missouri State Box Score
MEMPHIS - The Miami University softball team got off to a strong start Friday at the Blues City Classic. The RedHawks defeated the host Memphis Tigers, 5-0, in the opener. They followed that up with a 6-2 victory over Southeast Missouri State in the nightcap. Miami improves to 5-1 on the season.
Jessica Simpson was dominant in the opener against Memphis (2-10). She did not allow a hit until the fifth inning, and only runner in the entire game was able to reach third base. She finished the day allowing only two hits in seven innings pitched, while striking out six.
Miami was unable to get a baserunner until the bottom of the fourth inning. In that frame, Miami was able to load the bases with no one out, but Tiger starter Ellen Roberts was able to pitch her way out of the jam.
The RedHawks finally broke through with three runs in the bottom of the fifth. With Jordan McElroy and Ashley Zappia on base, back-to-back walks by Shanyn McIntyre and Kirstie Fehrenbach put Miami on the board. Two batters later, Daniela Torres would reach on a fielder's choice that scored McIntyre. A single to the pitcher by Larrabee would score Fehrenbach and make it 3-0.
Miami got two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Taylor Rice singled to right field. Two batters later, Fehrenbach singled to move Rice up to second. Tiyona Marshall would single through the left side to load the bases. Torres would follow with a double to right center that scored Rice and Fehrenbach and completed the RedHawks' scoring at 5-0.
Torres finished the opener 2-for-4 with three RBI. Fehrenbach was 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored.
Similar to the opener, the nightcap against Southeast Missouri State (4-3) was scoreless through the first few innings. Miami got on the board first in the top of the fourth with two runs. McElroy led off the frame with a single down the left field line. Kayla Ledbetter would follow with a double that moved her to third. Kristy Arbour then put down a perfect squeeze bunt to score McElroy and put the Red and White in front, 1-0. Megan Mattera followed with a single left field, scoring Ledbetter and giving Mattera her first career RBI.
Playing in front of her hometown fans, McElroy put the game away with one swing of the bat in the top of the fifth. Her three-run home run would score McIntyre and Brandi Hernandez and put the RedHawks in front, 5-0. SEMO would score two unearned runs in the bottom of the frame off starter Paige Myers, but Katie Osburn and Simpson would come in to shut the door on them the rest of the way. Miami scored its final run in the top of the sixth on a Marshall sacrifice fly that brought home Arbour.
McElroy finished the nightcap 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Fehrenbach was 3-for-4, while Arbour was 2-for-2 with one run scored and one RBI.
Myers pitched well in earning her third victory of the season. She allowed only those two unearned runs on five hits in 4.2 innings. She struck out three.
The RedHawks continue play the Blues City Classic with two early games tomorrow. Miami will take on Missouri State at 10 a.m. It will then face Western Illinois at 12:15 p.m.
