March 13, 2008

OXFORD - The Miami Softball team heads to neighboring Kentucky for the University of Louisville Tournament. The RedHawks open with host Louisville, Friday at 2 p.m.

Miami faces off with the No. 10 ranked Michigan Wolverines at 11 a.m. Saturday. Head Coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly and Coach Kellyn Tate enjoyed successful careers playing for the Wolverines. Schoenly received NFCA First Team All-American accolades in 1995 for her strong performances on the mound, while outfielder Kellyn Tate earned All Big-10 honors in 1996.  Miami plays against Minnesota at 3 p.m. Saturday, and then closes out the weekend with a single game on Sunday.

Senior Halle Popson hopes to continue her hot streak as she leads the RedHawks through the preseason. Popson has cemented her name in the record books already as she now holds the first-place slot for career walks and runs scored. Popson's 67 walks top Jessica Zogaib's career tally of 54 free trips. Popson has scored 114 times in her career, which now places her just over record holder Jennifer Abramson, who had crossed home safely 111 times.  This past weekend Popson hit .500 with an incredible .722 on base percentage. Popson has also taken six stolen bases and has been flawless defensively.

The rest of the RedHawks are also coming off a strong finish from last weekend. Senior Breanna Robinson has shown her strength at the plate, as she already has 15 RBIs to her name. Sophomores Alicia Hogl and Sarah Billstrom are batting .422 and .314, respectively, while freshman Meghan Mawn hit .467 for the weekend.

Following the University of Louisville Tournament, the RedHawks will take the short trip to Lexington for a single game against the University of Kentucky, Monday at 3 p.m.