Miami Ohio University Athletics
Softball Takes Split at Miami Invitational
3/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Western Illinois Box (PDF) 
| IUPUI Box (PDF)
OXFORD, Ohio -- The Miami University softball team got a split at its home Miami Invitational on Saturday. Behind four home runs, the RedHawks downed Western Illinois, 8-0, in their first game. That contested ended after five innings due to the run rule. Miami then dropped a heartbreaking, 9-8, game to IUPUI in the nightcap. The Red and White are now 7-6 on the season.
Against the Leathernecks in the opener, Miami got on the board right off the bat with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Freshman shortstop Michaela Schlattman led off the game with a solo home run that went over the scoreboard and the RedHawks' hitting facility. Senior outfielder Tanya Busby was then hit by a pitch. After WIU recorded two outs, senior third baseman Hailey Reed blasted a home run over the right field wall that made it 3-0.
In the bottom of the second, junior loutfielder Jenna Jones led off with a walk. Freshman second baseman Hannah Girlie moved her up to second with a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore catcher Rylee Whispel then singled to left center to bring her home and make it 4-0.
Solo home runs by senior outfielder Taylor Shuey in the third inning and Jones in the fourth inning made it 6-0 in favor of the RedHawks. Later in the fourth, a single by Shuey scored junior second baseman Eryn McCarver to give Miami a seven-run cushion.
In the bottom of the fifth, the `Hawks loaded the bases with no one out. Girlie followed with a single down the leftfield line that brought home Reed and ended the game at 8-0 due to the run rule.
Senior pitcher Amber Logemann was once again solid in the circle for Miami. She allowed only three hits in five shutout innings to earn her fourth victory of the season.
Shuey finished the opener 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one run scored. Reed was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Jones was 2-for-2 with one RBI and two runs scored.
Because of the tournament format, the RedHawks were the visiting team in the nightcap against the Jaguars. It did not start out well for Miami in that contest. IUPUI scored four runs in the bottom of the first and three more in the bottom of the second. In the top of the second, junior catcher Lauren Anderson scored on a fielder's choice, while McCarver singled home freshman first baseman Johniann Wahl, but the Jaguars led 7-2 after two complete frames.
Miami fought back in the top of the third with five runs to tie the score. After sophomore designated player Kaitlyn Gliha reached on an error, Shuey tripled to score her. Freshman Chloe Melanson came in to pinch run for Shuey and was brought home by an infield single from Anderson. Reed followed with a single up the middle, while Wahl doubled Anderson home to make it 7-5. An wild pitch brought home Reed, and it was immediately followed by an illegal pitch that scored Wahl and tied the score at seven. It remained that way until to the top of the fifth. With one out, Jones drew a walk. Freshman outfielder Anna Geary used a sacrifice bunt to move her over to second. McCarver then singled through the right side to score Jones and give the RedHawks an 8-7 lead.
IUPUI loaded the bass with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. On a 3-2 count, Taylor Chitwood sent a shot to leftfield that brought home two runs and gave the Jaguars a 9-8 advantage.
Miami did not give up as Geary was able to reach second base in the top of the seventh with two outs. McCarver hit a line shot that was seemingly heading to leftfield to tie the score, but Chitwood made a leaping catch to rob of a hit and give the Jaguars the victory.
Anderson finished the nightcap 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. McCarver was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
The RedHawks conclude the Miami Invitational with a pair of rematches on Sunday. Miami will take on Western Illinois at 3 p.m. and IUPUI at 5:30 p.m. The games will be streamed live on Miami All-Access for those who have a subscription.
