Miami University
Eastern Michigan
Miami Tops EMU, 9-7, in Extra Innings
3/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Miami University softball team built a large early lead against Eastern Michigan in its Mid-American Conference opener on Saturday, but the Eagles used the long ball to come from behind and send the game into extra innings. It did not matter however, as the RedHawks scored two runs in the top of the eighth to take a 9-7 victory. Miami improves to 17-11 overall and 1-0 in the MAC, while EMU falls to 8-17 overall and 0-1 in the MAC.
Miami struck first with two runs in the top of the second. With one out, senior outfielder Bree Lipscomb singled to centerfield. Freshman catcher Rylee Whispel reached on an error to move Lipscomb to second. Senior third baseman Remy Edwards followed with a single to left center that allowed Lipscomb to come home and put the RedHawks on the board. Senior shortstop Kylie McChesney walked to load the bases with one out. EMU got the lead runner on a fielder’s choice, but a single to left center by junior outfielder Tanya Busby scored Edwards and gave Miami a 2-0 lead.
The RedHawks added four more runs in the top of the third. Senior first baseman Shanyn McIntyre led off with a double to left center, while a single from junior designated player Taylor Shuey moved her up to third. A single up the middle from Lipscomb scored McIntyre and moved Shuey up to third. Shuey then scored on a wild pitch. One batter later, a single up the middle from Edwards scored Lipscomb and made it 5-0. McChesney moved Edwards up to second on a sacrifice bunt, while a single to left center by senior outfielder Tiyona Marshall brought Edwards home and gave Miami a 6-0 advantage.
Meanwhile junior pitcher Amber Logemann kept the Eagles at bay for the first five innings. She did not allow a run and only gave up one hit, while striking out seven.
Eastern Michigan was able to get two back in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run home run off of senior relief pitcher Megan Mattera to cut the deficit to 6-2.
In the top of the seventh, McIntyre led off with a walk. Mattera reached on a fielder’s choice, while McIntyre was safe at second on a throwing error by the Eagles’ first baseman. A double to centerfield by Lipscomb scored McIntyre and gave Miami a 7-2 lead.
EMU came roaring back in the bottom of the seventh. A three-run home run off of Mattera pulled it to within two at 7-5. Logemann came back in with one out and got a pair of strikeouts, but one of them reached base on a passed ball. The Eagles then tied the score at seven with a two-run home run. Logemann recovered to get another strikeout to send the game into extra innings.
In the top of the eight, McChesney led off with a walk. Marshall laid down a sacrifice bunt, but the second baseman threw the ball away. McChesney came all the way around to score, while Marshall ended up at third. After an out was recorded, sophomore second baseman Eryn McCarver singled up the middle to score Marshall and make it 9-7.
Logemann worked her way around a one-out triple in the bottom of the eighth with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout to finish off the victory for the RedHawks.
Lipscomb finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Edwards was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, while McCarver was 2-for-5 with one RBI.
Logemann got the victory for Miami finishing allowing only two unearned runs on three hits in 6.2 innings pitched. She struck out 12.
The RedHawks look to finish off a series sweep of Eastern Michigan on Sunday when they meet again at 1 p.m. in Ypsilanti.
