Miami University
Missouri State
Myers Pitches Shutout as RedHawks Earn Split
2/25/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 25, 2012
MEMPHIS - Great pitching continued to be the story of the early portion of the season for the Miami University softball team on Saturday at the Blues City Classic. The RedHawks split their two games during the second day of the three-day tournament. Miami suffered a tough-luck, 2-1, loss to Missouri State in its opener. It then went on to defeat Western Illinois, 2-0, in the nightcap. The RedHawks improve to 6-2 on the year.
Paige Myers earned her fourth victory of the season with a shutout against Western Illinois (4-7). She went six strong innings, allowing only four hits, while striking out six. After allowing the first two runners to reach in the bottom of the seventh, Jessica Simpson would come in and force a fly out to centerfield and a lineout double play to earn her first save of the season.
Miami scored its first run of the game in the top of the first inning. With two outs, Daniela Torres tripled. Allie Larrabee followed with a walk. Larrabee then stole second. On the play, the first baseman cut off the throw to attempt to keep Torres from scoring. She ended up throwing the ball away, allowing Torres to score anyway.
In the top of the fifth, Kylie McChesney led things off by reaching on an error. She stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. With two outs, she would score on a passed ball to make it 2-0 and complete the RedHawks' scoring for the contest.
Miami was efficient with its offense against the Leathernecks, as it only recorded two hits during the game. The RedHawks took advantage of four WIU errors.
Missouri State got both of its runs in the top of the third off of Simpson. A double to deep left field that Tiyona Marshall just missed making a great catch on dropped in safely and scored two runs for the Bears.
Miami would get one run back in the bottom of the fourth. Torres would lead off with a single up the middle. Larrabee would move her to second on a sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Jordan McElroy singled up the middle, scoring Torres, who made a great slide to avoid the tag of the catcher. The RedHawks would be unable to score any again and fell, 2-1, for their first loss of the tournament.
McElroy finished 1-for-3 with one RBI. McChesney was 2-for-3. Simpson allowed only two runs on three hits. She struck out six.
Miami completes play at the Blues City Classic when it takes on Northern Iowa on Sunday at 10 a.m.
