Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami University
Green Bay
Softball Rallies to Top Green Bay, 10-7
2/12/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ROSEMONT, Ill. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢'¬" Miami University's softball team used a four-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning to top Green Bay, 10-7, in the final game of the Total Control Sports Invitational Sunday morning at The Dome.
The comeback victory finished a solid weekend for the RedHawks (3-2), who ended the tournament with three straight victories.
After a one-out double, the Phoenix (0-4) scored the first run of the game in the top of the first with an RBI single to left-center. The following batter reached on a single to left, giving Green Bay runners at first and second with two outs, but sophomore starter Shannon Hohman was able to elude the jam with a strike-out.
The first inning was relatively quiet for the RedHawks, with sophomore shortstop Michaela Schlattman reaching on a two-out walk, but being unable to move any further.
In the bottom of the second, senior designated player Lauren Anderson walked to lead off the inning, but was then thrown out at second on a fielder's choice. A walk to junior catcher Rylee Whispel advanced junior center fielder Kaitlyn Gliha to second, leading to a two-run RBI double from freshman second baseman Hannah Obrey that gave Miami a 2-1 lead. Junior right fielder Megan Wurts continued the scoring as she brought in Obrey from third on a fielder's choice bunt, followed by freshman left fielder Haeley Tran loading the bases with a single to left. Green Bay was able to stem the charge by getting a pair of fly-outs from Miami to end the frame.
The Phoenix looked to rebound in the top of the third and were able to load the bases with two outs, but Hohman induced a pop-up that ended the inning with no damage. Miami bolstered its advantage in the bottom half as Anderson homered to left-center to make the score 4-1, causing a Green Bay pitching change. The Red and White placed runners on second and third, but were unable to capitalize and stranded both.
Senior Carly Mortensen replaced Hohman in the top of the fourth and allowed consecutive hits that scored a run for Green Bay. After a ground-out, a bunt single gave the Phoenix runners at first and third, leading to an RBI single that narrowed the margin to 4-3 Miami. Another single subsequently loaded the bases and Mortensen was relieved by senior Kelsey Fredericks. She walked her first batter, tying the game at 4 apiece. The Green Bay rally continued with a two-run RBI single that sent GB ahead 6-4.
In the bottom of the fourth, Wurts led off with a single to center and advanced to second on a single from Tran, but was thrown out at third on a fielder's choice. A walk to sophomore first baseman Johniann Wahl loaded the bases and Anderson continued her outstanding day with a two-run RBI single that tied the game at 6.
After getting two outs to begin the fifth, Fredericks allowed a walk and an RBI triple that gave the lead back to Green Bay. In the bottom half, the first two Miami batters were hit by pitches before Wurts singled to load the bases, but a fielder's choice ended the scoring opportunity.
Green Bay once again threatened in the top of the sixth with a lead-off single, followed by an error which allowed a batter to reach first after a strike-out. The RedHawks stranded two Phoenix runners on base and looked to regain the lead in their half.
The inning started with a walk to Wahl, who was replaced by junior Alyssa Hedric as a pinch-runner. Anderson was also walked and replaced by freshman Kara Leckinger, leading to both runners entering scoring position with one out. Following another walk, junior third baseman Kat Lee put Miami ahead, 8-7, with a single up the middle that scored Hedric and Leckinger. In the next at-bat, Wurts singled to right-center to score junior catcher Rylee Whispel and extend the lead to 9-7. The rally continued as a steal of second by Wurts that caused a throwing error, allowing Lee to steal home, making the score, 10-7.
Needing a major charge to continue the game, the Phoenix were able to get a two-out double, but a ground-out sealed the comeback victory for the RedHawks.
For the game, Wurts was 3-for-5 with two RBIs while Anderson posted three RBIs and one home run. Fredericks grabbed her first victory of the season, giving up one earned run and striking out two over 3.2 relief innings.
The RedHawks will head back out on the road next weekend as they travel to Bowling Green, Ky. for the Western Kentucky University Tournament. On Saturday, Feb. 18, Miami will face Western Illinois and hosting WKU, before a matchup against Belmont on Sunday, Feb. 19.
