April 7, 2012

Box Score

OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami University softball team won a classic pitcher's duel over Ohio, 1-0, on Saturday. The RedHawks scored their run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Miami improves to 22-12 overall, 5-2 in the Mid-American Conference. The Bobcats fall to 15-17 overall and 4-3 in the MAC.

Jessica Simpson was dominant throughout her seven innings of work Saturday. She allowed only four hits, while striking out 12 to improve her record on the season to 14-10. It was her 84th career victory, leaving her only one short of tying the MAC record of 85 that is shared by Ball State's Elizabeth Milian and Kent State's Kylie Reynolds.

Ohio only threatened twice in the game. In the top of the fourth, a single and a double put runners on second and third base with only one out. Jordan McElroy made a good play to cutoff that double and kept the runner from coming home. Simpson responded with a strikeout and a pop out to short to end the threat.

In the top of the seventh, the Bobcats led off with a single. The next batter put down a bunt in an attempt to sacrifice the runner over. Miami attempted to get the lead runner, but she was safe putting two runners on with no one out. That didn't matter for Simpson, as she struck out the next three batters in a row to end the inning

Meanwhile, Ohio's Lauren McClary also was pitching well. The RedHawks were able to load the bases on her in the bottom of the third, but otherwise had not been able to put together an offensive threat.

In the bottom of the seventh, Kayla Ledbetter led off with a double to deep left field. She was replaced by pinch-runner Brandi Hernandez. Allie Larrabee sacrifice bunted Hernandez over to third base. Casey Drees came up to pinch hit and drew a walk. Kirstie Fehrenbach was up next. She sent a pop up to shallow left field that the shortstop was able to chase down, but she dropped it, allowing Hernandez to come home with the game's only run and give the RedHawks their third straight shutout win this weekend.

Miami and Ohio will complete the weekend series on Sunday at 1 p.m.