March 27, 2012
Final Stats
OXFORD, Ohio - Senior pitcher Jessica Simpson, who earlier in the day was named MAC East Division Pitcher of the Week for the third time this season, pitched a two-hitter on Tuesday, but the Miami University softball team fell, 1-0, to visiting Wright State. The RedHawks' six-game winning streak comes to an end as they fall to 17-10 overall. Wright State improves to 11-15 on the season.
Simpson was perfect in every inning except the second. In the top of the frame, Kacie Rapshus led things off with a single through the left side. Simpson struck out the next two batters, but a wild pitch followed by a triple to right center by Colleen Schnieder would bring Raphshus home and give the Raiders the only run of the contest. She would not allow another base runner the rest of the game and finished with 11 strikeouts.
It spoiled what had been a good day so far for Simpson as she had been named MAC East Division Pitcher of the Week for the second consecutive week and 13th time in her career. She pitched the opener of Miami's only game last week, a doubleheader against Butler. She pitched a complete game, allowing only one run, a solo homerun in the bottom of the second inning. The hit ended a streak of 9.0 perfect innings thrown by the senior. Simpson ended up allowing only five hits in seven innings pitched, while striking out 10.
Miami's best chance to score on Tuesday came in the bottom of the first inning. Kirstie Fehrenbach led things off with a single to shortstop. Kristy Arbour reached on a fielder's choice as the Raiders retired Fehrenbach at second. Jordan McElroy put down a bunt and reached after the second baseman booted it. After an out, Allie Larrabee walked to load the bases, but Wright State pitcher Krystian DeWitt forced Shanyn McIntyre into a fielder's choice groundout to end the threat. DeWitt would scatter five hits over the next six innings while keeping Miami off the board.
Fehrenbach was the RedHawks' top hitter on Tuesday, going 2-for-4.
Miami hits the road this weekend as it begins MAC play. The RedHawks will travel to Northern Illinois for a doubleheader on Friday starting at 2 p.m. (EDT). They then head to Western Michigan for single games on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
