OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University softball team (23-14, 8-4 MAC) host the Buffalo Bulls (9-24-1, 6-4-1 MAC) for a three-game series this weekend. The teams are scheduled to play one game on Friday, beginning at 3 p.m., and a doubleheader on Saturday, scheduled for 1 p.m. The series is the Cancer Awareness and Miami Cares Series.

MIAMI LEADS LEAGUE AFTER BEATING KENT STATE

The RedHawks won the series at Kent State last weekend to move up to first place in the conference, alongside the Golden Flashes. Both teams have a winning percentage of .667 on an 8-4 MAC record.

Miami dropped the game on Friday before bouncing back on Saturday to sweep the doubleheader and take the series. The first game of the doubleheader was decided in 14 innings while the second was decided in just five. Ashton Slone's RBI single in the top of the 14^th inning drove in the game-deciding run after Kent State tied the game in both the bottom of the seventh and eighth to force the marathon event. All three of Miami's pitchers factored into the win.

The RedHawks' bats came alive in the 16-3 win in five innings to take the series in the final game of the weekend. The contest featured five Miami home runs, including a grand slam from Jada Dotson, on a season-high 17 hits. Morgan Lott, Johniann Wahl and Jenny Vasquez all hit the ball three times with Vasquez leading the team with five RBI.

SUPPORT MIAMI CARES – APRIL 19/20

Join the Miami softball team in partnering with Soap for Hope and the Oxford Food Pantry to collect donations of unopened shampoo, soaps, toothpaste, lotion and canned food. Items will be distributed to local charities like the Miami Food Pantry, Oxford Food Pantry and Women Helping Women. Donations will be collected at all three games on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20. Thanks to all who help support this cause.

On Saturday, all fans in attendance will receive free lavender cancer awareness ribbons. Athletes and coaches will be wearing different colored ribbons to represent different types of cancer.

VIERSTRA AND VASQUEZ ETCH NAMES INTO RECORD BOOK

Sophomore pitcher Courtney Vierstra passed her strikeout total from last year against Kent State. Vierstra has 164 strikeouts this season, which ranks ninth in program history in single-season strikeouts.

Senior infielder Jenny Vasquez hit her eighth home run of the season at Kent State last weekend. Her eight home runs ties for the ninth-most in a single season in program history.

OPPONENT PREVIEW

Buffalo is scheduled to play a doubleheader at Canisius on Wednesday, beginning at noon. The Bulls won the first and third games to take the series at Bowling Green last weekend.

Buffalo won the first game by an 11-9 margin, holding off the Falcons' push on the back of Ally Power in the circle. Jenelle Martinez led the Bulls' offense with four hits while Alicia Peters had six RBI. Buffalo won the rubber match by a 5-4 margin after dropping game two by a 2-10 margin in six innings. The Bulls won game three on a solo home run from Anna Aguon in the top of the seventh inning.

Aguon leads the Bulls at the plate this season in batting average (.418), at bats (110), runs (23), hits (46), doubles (13), triples (1), home runs (5), total bases (76), slugging percentage (.691) and on-base percentage (.475).

Ally Power leads the pitching staff in ERA (5.76), appearances (27), games started (18), complete games (7), innings pitched (114.0), strikeouts (66) and opponents' batting average (.335). She holds a 4-13 record this season.