NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Miami University softball team (7-5) split the first day of the Lipscomb Tournament on Friday. The RedHawks began the day with a 4-6 loss against Appalachian State before beating Eastern Illinois by a 3-1 margin.

Miami 4, Appalachian State 6

Brianna Pratt started the game in the circle for the RedHawks. Pratt held Appalachian State scoreless through the first three innings before giving up six runs in the bottom of the fourth before leaving the game. Pratt pitched 3.2 innings and struck out three batters.

Courtney Vierstra replaced Pratt on the mound with two outs and a runner on third. Vierstra finished the game allowing no runs or hits while striking out five.

The game remained scoreless going into the third inning as Pratt forced Appalachian State to go three up, three down each of the first two innings.

Miami scored all of its runs in the third inning. Mackenzie Moore hit the lead-off single and advanced to third on a double from the bat of Morgan Lott. The bases were loaded with one out as Haeley Tran was walked for the second time of the game. Ashton Slone hit a two-out grand slam to give Miami a 4-0 lead after three.

Appalachian State had a big inning in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 6-4 lead that would not be relinquished. A lead-off single and two walks loaded the bases with no outs. The next batter reached base on a fielder's choice that saw a force-out at home plate, but three-straight singles tied the game at four. A two-out triple scored the final two runs before Vierstra relieved Pratt in the circle.

All three outs for Appalachian State in the bottom of the fifth came by way of a Vierstra strikeout. Vierstra struck out two more in a three up, three down sixth inning.

Jada Dotson hit a two-out double in the top of the seventh and advanced to third on a single from Lott but Miami could not rally back to continue the game.

Slone led the RedHawks' offense with the grand slam while Lott had a multi-hit game that included a double.

Miami 3, Eastern Illinois 1

Vierstra pitched the complete game for the RedHawks. She struck out a single-game season-high 15 batters while walking none and giving up zero earned runs and only three hits. Vierstra did not allow an extra-base hit the entire game.

Lott, Johniann Wahl and Slone all walked in the first inning to load the bases but Miami could not capitalize.

Eastern Illinois scored on a throwing error in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead despite Vierstra earning all three outs by strikeout.

The score remained 1-0 until the top of the fifth inning. Wahl was walked with one out. Slone hit her second home run of the day to give Miami the 2-1 lead. Dotson hit a two-out triple in the fifth but could not score. Vierstra struck out the side in the bottom of the fifth to preserve Miami's lead.

The RedHawks increased their lead to 3-1 in the sixth. Moore hit a one-out double and scored on a double by Lott. Eastern Illinois changed pitchers after Lott's double.

Vierstra went three up, three down in the bottom of seventh to hold off any potential rally by EIU.

Slone led the RedHawks' offense with her second home run of the day and two RBI. Bollinger and Moore each had two hits. Miami had at least one base-runner in every inning.

UP AHEAD

The RedHawks conclude play at the Lipscomb Tournament on Saturday with a doubleheader. The first game of the day is at 11 a.m. against Appalachian State. Miami wraps up the weekend with a game against the host team at 1:30 p.m.