April 25, 2008

Box Score

OXFORD - Miami fell to the MAC West-leading Chippewas of Central Michigan in both games of Friday's doubleheader, dropping game one by an 8-1 score, and getting clipped in the second game, 4-0.

The RedHawks received an excellent effort in the circle from sophomore pitcher Shalise Lugo, who saw action in both games of the doubleheader. Lugo came into game one in relief of starter Meredith Linch, giving up no runs and striking out two batters in two and one-third innings. Lugo went the distance in game two, allowing just four runs, only two of which were earned, in the complete game.

Senior outfielder Breanna Robinson reached base in four of her seven trips to the plate on the day, including a perfect 3-for-3 performance in the first game. Robinson leads the team in batting average, hitting .357 for the Red and White this season.

In game one, Miami opened the scoring in its half of the first inning, when shortstop Sarah Billstrom's single to centerfield scored Meghan Mawn from third base after she walked earlier in the inning.

The Chippewas erased Miami's lead in the top of the third inning, when the team's leading hitter, Christina Novak, drove a ball off of the right field wall, making the score 2-1 in favor of Central Michigan.

CMU put the game out of reach in the fifth inning, extending its lead to 8-1, when the Chippewas struck for six runs on three hits, four walks and two errors.

Central Michigan was the first team to make a mark on the scoreboard in game two, plating two runners in the top of the fifth inning.

In the sixth inning, catcher Amanda Klosterman doubled to deep centerfield, scoring Katie Greenman from first base, to give CMU the 3-0 lead.

Central Michigan added an insurance run with two outs in the top of the seventh to give the team a four run cushion heading into Miami's half of the inning.

MU started the seventh with a single off the bat of Billstrom. Unfortunately, as was the case throughout the day, the team was unable to bring her around to score, and Miami went quietly for the final three outs of the game.

The RedHawks will now welcome Eastern Michigan to Oxford for their last home series of the season. The first game of the series is set for a 5 p.m. start on Saturday.