EVANSTON, Ill. – The Miami University softball team fought hard in its first-ever regional final Sunday evening, but ultimately fell to Northwestern University 5-4. This gives the RedHawks a final record of 39-20 on the season. The Wildcats move to 41-11.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Karli Spaid put the first run on the board in RedHawk fashion, taking a pitch deep over center to give Miami a 1-0 lead.
• In the bottom of the third, Riley Coyne drew a walk with the bases loaded so that Maddi Banks scored to double the RedHawks' lead to 2-0.
• In the top of the fourth, the Wildcats tied it up 2-2 on a two-run homer.
• In the top of the fifth, Northwestern took the lead on an RBI single to make it a 3-2 game.
• Miami took the lead right back 4-3 in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run home run from Holly Blaska that also scored Allie Cummins.
• The Wildcats tied the game 4-4 in the top of the sixth on a sac groundout.
• NU then took the 5-4 lead in the top of the seventh on an RBI double. Miami loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning but couldn't push a run across, giving Northwestern the 5-4 win.

 
NOTES:

• Blaska went 3-for-4 at the plate with her fourth homer of the weekend and 11th of the season.
• Spaid hit her 22nd homer of the year.
• Brianna Pratt grabbed four strikeouts and allowed only two extra base hits.