April 19, 2008

Box Score

Kent, Ohio - Despite a strong team effort on Saturday afternoon, Miami was unable to overcome a three-run fourth inning by Kent State, as the Red and White dropped game one of the series, 3-2.

Sophomore pitcher Meredith Linch threw her fifth-consecutive complete game, allowing only three runs on five hits, while striking out two KSU batters.

Continuing her hit parade was freshman Meghan Mawn, going 1-for-2 in her two official at-bats. She also reached base after getting hit by a pitch in the first inning. Mawn has an on-base percentage of .727 during the current road trip.

Kent State pushed across the first runs of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two runners on base, designated hitter Jessica Carmichael drove a pitch over the left field fence for her fifth home run of the year, giving the Golden Flashes a 3-0 lead.

The RedHawks answered back with two runs of their own in the top half of the fifth inning, cutting the KSU lead to 3-2. Sarah Billstrom scored the first run of the inning when Kent State third baseman Kalie Germaine overthrew first base trying to toss out Halle Popson. One batter later, with Kathryn Russette standing in at the plate, Kylie Reynolds uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Kimberly Williams to advance home from third.

Unfortunately, the KSU pitching silenced Miami's bats for the remaining two innings, to solidify the 3-2 victory for Kent State.

The RedHawks will wrap up their road trip on Sunday, as Miami and Kent State will do battle once again. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start time.