April 29, 2012
Box Score
KENT, Ohio - The Miami University softball team earned its sixth-straight victory and made it a perfect weekend with a come-from-behind, 3-2, victory over Kent State on Sunday. The RedHawks improve to 32-16 overall and 13-5 in the Mid-American Conference. The Golden Flashes fall to 26-23 and 11-7 in the MAC.
Miami has now clinched a spot in the upcoming MAC Tournament, May 9-12 at Firestone Stadium in Akron. Currently in third place in the league, the RedHawks need to win one more game to secure a top-four seed and a first round bye in the double elimination tournament. If the can move up into a top-two seed, the Red and White will earn a double bye.
The game was a pitcher's duel between Miami's Jessica Simpson and Kent State's Emma Johnson. Neither team was able to record a hit until Mary Holt homered over the centerfield wall in the bottom of the third to give the Golden Flashes a 1-0 lead.
It remained that way until the top of the fifth inning. Kayla Ledbetter would lead off the frame with a walk. She was replaced by pinch-runner Tiyona Marshall. An error by the left fielder on Allie Larrabee's fly ball would allow Marshall to reach third base and Larrabee to reach second. Katie Osburn replaced Larrabee on the base paths. Casey Drees would then draw a walk to load the bases with no one out. Kent State would be able to record the first out on a fielder's choice tag out at home, but Remy Edwards would single up the middle to bring home Osburn and tie the score at one.
Kent State quickly regained the advantage in the bottom of the fifth when Alex Marcantonio would hit a solo home run to left center.
Larrabee would lead off the top of the seventh with a double to left field. Brandi Hernandez came in to run for her. Kirstie Fehrenbach would move her over to third base on the sacrifice. After a strikeout, Kylie McChesney walked, giving the RedHawks runners at first and third with two outs. Kristy Arbour would come through, singling to left field to score Hernandez and tie the game at two. Jordan McElroy would follow with a single to center field. The centerfielder bobbled the ball, allowing McChesney to come around and give Miami its first lead of the game at 3-2.
Simpson would strike out the first batter in the bottom of the seventh. Holt would follow and hit a sharp liner that seemed destined for a base hit, but Arbour would reach out and make a spectacular catch. Simpson would then end the contest with another strikeout.
Five different RedHawks recorded hits on Sunday, with Arbour and Edwards receiving RBIs. Simpson earned her 23rd win of the season, allowing only two runs on four hits in seven innings pitched. She struck out nine.
Miami will complete the regular season next weekend when it host four games. On Friday, the RedHawks will welcome Bowling Green to Oxford for a doubleheader that starts at 1 p.m. Miami will then take on Toledo in single games over the weekend. Saturday's game will have a special start time of 6 p.m. due to the graduation ceremonies. Sunday's contest will be at the regularly scheduled time of 1 p.m. Prior to Sunday's game, the RedHawks will host their annual Senior Day ceremony.
