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OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University softball team picked up a huge win on Sunday, giving Kent State its first loss in Mid-American Conference play. The RedHawks knocked off the Golden Flashes, 4-3, in an intense, hard-fought contest. Miami improves to 21-13 overall and 5-1 in the MAC. Kent State falls to 23-7 overall and 4-1 in the MAC.
While the Golden Flashes got runners into scoring position in each of the first two innings, each time junior pitcher Amber Logemann was able to work her way out of it. With a runner on third and two outs in the top of the third it looked like she would escape again, but an error on a popup allowed the run score and give Kent State a 1-0 lead.
Miami scored all of its offense in a four-run bottom of the third. Senior outfielder Tiyona Marshall led off with a single to second base. A groundout by junior designated player Tanya Busby moved her up to second. Marshall then stole third base. Sophomore second baseman Eryn McCarver was hit by a pitch, and then stole second. Senior first baseman Shanyn McIntyre walked to load the bases with one out.
Junior outfielder Taylor Shuey followed with a single to centerfield, bringing home Marshall and tying the score at one. Senior outfielder Bree Lipscomb hit a towering shot to deep centerfield that just missed clearing the fence. Despite the out, all the runners moved up a base, and McCarver scored to put the RedHawks ahead for the first time. After freshman catcher Rylee Whispel was hit by a pitch to reload the bases, Kent State changed pitchers, putting in their ace Emma Johnson. Freshman third baseman Kat Lee hit a chopper over Johnson’s head, allowing McIntyre to score. The first baseman lost the ball on the exchange, allowing Shuey to also come home and give Miami a 4-1 lead.
In the top of the fourth, Kent State was able to load the bases with one out. Logemann then hit the next two batters in a row to force home two runs and cut the RedHawk advantage to 4-3. On the next play a grounder was hit to McCarver. She went home, getting the force just before the Golden Flashes’ runner was able to slide in. Miami got out of the inning when Lee caught a sharply hit liner hit directly at her.
From there Logemann took over, allowing only one infield single over the final three innings. She retired the Golden Flashes in order in the top of the seventh to finish off the 4-3 victory. For the game Logemann allowed two earned runs on five hits, while striking out five in earning her 17th victory of the season.
Marshall finished the game 3-for-4 with one run scored. Shuey was 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.
The RedHawks return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Wright State for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.
