College softball Miami 9, eastern Michigan 2
Game-opening home run can't spoil Senior Day for MU softball team
Miami rebounds from first-pitch blast to close out its home schedule and snap a five-game losing streak
Monday, April 28, 2008
OXFORD — The first-pitch home run turned out to be a mere annoyance for the Miami University softball team.
The RedHawks rebounded to make Senior Day a special occasion for six seniors Sunday, April 27, as MU ended a five-game losing streak by battering Eastern Michigan 9-2.
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Get latest headlines via RSS feeds"To me, Senior Day is a big deal," Miami coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly said. "As people, these seniors are very enjoyable to be around. I wanted this to be the day they wanted it to be. I wanted it to be their shining moment."
The six seniors — first baseman Halle Popson, center fielder Breanna Robinson, right fielder Christine Bills, third baseman Kimberly Williams, catcher Natalie Savona and injured outfielder Kaitlin Kitzler — were honored in a pregame ceremony.
Each available senior had at least one hit in her final home game, and Robinson set a single-season school record with her 38th RBI in the sixth inning.
"It was so much fun playing for the girls and with the girls," said Robinson, a Toledo native. "We left it all on the field, and it was awesome. I'm sad to leave such a beautiful place, but I'm hopeful for the future."
Popson, a tri-captain from Solon, admitted she had mixed emotions.
"Bittersweet, but it was a great way to go out for the seniors," Popson said. "I think we're leaving this place better than we found it. The younger girls ... they've got more skill than we ever dreamed of."
Popson scored a pair of runs in the leadoff spot, while Williams smacked a two-run double. Meghan Mawn had three hits, Sarah Billstrom doubled, singled and drove in three runs, Alicia Hogl contributed two hits and two RBIs, and Bills had a run-scoring double.
Meredith Linch threw a four-hitter with eight strikeouts, recovering nicely after EMU's Jenny Scherer deposited her first pitch over the wall in left field.
"No bother, no worries," Robinson said of the early deficit. "This team is good at overcoming adversity."
The RedHawks are 20-24, 10-8 in the Mid-American Conference East Division. They're currently third in the East and appear headed for a berth in the MAC tournament.
"To be honest, I think this team is made for a tournament like that," Popson said. "The regular season is our mode of transportation to get to our ultimate goal."
MU ends the regular season with four road games next weekend against Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.
"We're getting healthier," Schoenly said. "We'd like to use next weekend as a springboard."
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194
or rcassano@coxohio.com.
