OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University softball team (13-11, 0-1 MAC) fell to Central Michigan (10-14, 1-0 MAC) by a 1-4 margin in eight innings on Friday to open MAC play.

Miami 1, Central Michigan 4

Courtney Vierstra started the game in the circle for the RedHawks. She pitched the complete game, giving up four runs on five hits while walking three and striking out 10 batters. Vierstra earned her 100^th strikeout of the season during the game.

Miami had a hit in each of the first three innings but the game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning. Lily Wilmot hit a one-out single and was brought home on a double from Kara Leckinger, her second double of the game. Leckinger advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Hannah Obrey but was left there to finish the fourth.

Vierstra gave up only one hit and maintained the shutout until the top of the seventh inning when Central Michigan tied the game with a pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt.

The Chippewas took their first lead of the game in the top of the eighth inning. A one-out single and a two-out walk put runners on first and second before a home run gave Central Michigan a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the eighth.

Ashton Slone led off with her second double of the game and Riley Coyne pinch ran for Slone. Jenny Vasquez beat out a ball in the infield for a single to put runners on the corners but Miami could not complete the rally.

Leckinger led Miami's offense with three hits and an RBI, two of her hits being doubles. Slone also had a multi-hit game, with both of hers being doubles.

UP AHEAD

The RedHawks and Chippewas conclude the three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday at the Miami Softball Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.