DEKALB, Ill. – The Miami softball team controlled both games from the opening pitch on Friday and never allowed the Northern Illinois Huskies a chance to generate any kind of momentum. Pitching duo
Brianna Pratt and
Courtney Vierstra both recorded complete games in the circle, leading the RedHawks (13-13; 5-0 MAC) to respective 12-2 and 9-1 five-inning victories over NIU (8-12; 2-3 MAC).
Due to the threat of inclement weather, the third game of the series will not be played Saturday, and will not be made up.
How it Happened (Game 1):
- Pratt struck out six NIU batters while allowing just two runs on four hits during her start.
- Allie Cummins put on an amazing performance from the plate going 2-for-4 with four RBI in the contest.
- Miami started off hot and kept rolling throughout the length of the game. A Karli Spaid homerun gave the RedHawks a 1-0 lead after the first half of the opening inning. The Huskies would answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning.
- The RedHawks quickly regained their lead though, adding five runs to their total in the second inning courtesy of a three-run home run from Cummins and a pair of home runs from Riley Coyne and Spaid.
- Cummins recorded an RBI double in the top of the third, continuing her outstanding performance and extending Miami's lead to six runs.
- NIU answered back with a run of their own in the fourth, but Miami quickly responded at the top of the fifth. The RedHawks added five runs to their total in the inning.
- The RedHawks took the first game, 12-2, in five innings after the Huskies failed to mount a counter-attack.
Notes:
- Spaid finished the game 2-for-3 from the plate with two home runs.
How it Happened (Game 2):
- Vierstra got the start in the second game, striking out seven batters while only allowing one run on one hit.
- Maggie Murphy went 2-for-3 in the contest with two RBI.
- Miami carried their momentum into the second game and thanks to a Kate Kobayashi three-run homer run in the first, the RedHawks gained control from the start.
- The RedHawks would go on to post three more runs in the top of the second inning courtesy of a Spaid two-run home run and an RBI single from Murphy.
- NIU answered in the bottom of the third, cutting Miami's lead to 7-1.
- The RedHawks' lead extended to eight runs in the top of the fourth after Murphy added another RBI single and a sacrifice fly from Adriana Barlow allowed Noelle Reid to race home for a score.
- NIU couldn't answer back, ending the game in 9-1 victory for Miami after five innings.
Notes:
- Spaid went 2-for-3 with a home run
- Kobayashi went 2-for-2 with 2 home runs and a stolen base
- Seven different Miami batters recorded a hit in the contest.
Up Next:
Miami is back in action on Tuesday, Mar. 29, hosting IUPUI at 5 p.m.