OXFORD, Ohio — Miami edged Central Michigan 2-1 in eight innings at the 2022 MAC Softball Championship Friday afternoon to earn a berth in the tournament final.
Holly Blaska drove in both runs for the RedHawks, including the game-winning walk-off single.
Brianna Pratt picked up the win in the circle for Miami (38-15-1), allowing one run in a complete-game effort. The Chippewas' record slipped to 27-25.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Trailing 1-0, Miami leveled the score in the bottom of the sixth. Adriana Barlow led off with a single. Pinch runner Jenna Golembiewski replaced Barlow, promptly stole second base, and came around to score on Blaska's RBI single down the first-base line.
- In the eighth, Chloe Parks doubled to left-center to get the RedHawks started. After an intentional walk to Karli Spaid, Blaska singled in the winning run, with Parks just beating the tag at home plate to lift the RedHawks into Saturday's championship game.
MIAMI GAME NOTES
- Pratt improved her record to 17-4, allowing one run in eight innings with three strikeouts.
- Pratt is 13-0 over her last 20 appearances in the circle.
- Blaska went 2-for-4 to lead the Miami offense.
UP NEXT:
The top-seeded RedHawks will battle fourth-seeded Bowling Green in the MAC Softball Championship title game on Saturday, May 14. First pitch in Oxford is set for 3 p.m.