ORLANDO, Fla. – The Miami University softball team was able to earn a split on the first day of the Citrus Classic at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Friday. The RedHawks opened up with a 7-0 victory over Western Illinois. Miami made a valiant comeback attempt after falling into an early hole against Towson, but the Tigers came away with an 8-4 victory in the nightcap. The Red and White are now 6-3 on the season.
Junior pitcher Amber Logemann was on top of her game in the opener. She finished with her first complete game shutout of the season, not allowing a single Leatherneck runner to advance past second base. She allowed only three hits and struck out 12.
Miami was unable to get a baserunner until it broke through in the top of the fourth inning. Senior outfielder Tiyona Marshall led off with a bunt single. A sacrifice bunt by sophomore second baseman Eryn McCarver moved her up to second base. A groundout by junior outfielder Taylor Shuey moved Marshall up to third, while a single by senior outfielder Bree Lipscomb scored her and put the RedHawks on the board.
Miami put the game away with six runs in the top of the fifth. Senior catcher Shanyn McIntyre got it started with a single to center field that scored senior shortstop Kylie McChesney. McIntyre stole second and then reached third on a passed ball. A single to right field by Marshall scored Marshall and made it 3-0. After Marshall stole second; she would eventually score as McCarver reached on an error. A single by Shuey moved McCarver up to third. Lipscomb reached on an error, allowing McCarver and Shuey to score and make it 6-0. Senior designated player Megan Mattera completed the RedHawks scoring with a single to shortstop that scored Lipscomb.
Marshall finished the game 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Lipscomb was 1-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored.
Towson hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first, and scored three runs in the bottom of the third off of three hits and two errors to take a 6-0 lead in the nightcap. Miami began to fight back right away as Lipscomb hit her first home run of the season, a two-run shot over the right field wall in the top of the fourth that cut the deficit to 6-2.
The Tigers scored single runs in the fifth and sixth to expand their lead to 8-2.
The RedHawks scored twice in the top of the seventh and were able to get the tying run to the plate. Freshman catcher Kat Lee led off with a double left field. She moved up to third on a flyout from McChesney. A single to left field by freshman third baseman Jenna Jones scored her and made it 8-3. After Towson recorded the second out, Marshall singled to left field to move Jones up to second. A single to right center by McCarver scored Jones and made it 8-4. Shuey walked to load the bases, bringing up the tying run in Lipscomb. Tiger pitcher Mary McCormick was able to get Lipscomb to flight out to left field, ending the Miami threat and securing the victory for Towson.
McCarver finished the nightcap 3-for-4 with one RBI. Lipscomb was 1-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored.
The RedHawks complete play with two more games at the Citrus Classic on Saturday. Miami takes on Columbia at 11 a.m. and UAB at 1:15 p.m.
