March 28, 2008

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OXFORD, Ohio--A 4-1 win against the University of Akron Zips capped a Mid-American Conference opening doubleheader sweep on Friday afternoon for the Miami University RedHawk softball team. Along with a 13-3 win in the day's first game, Miami now improves to 10-14 overall and 2-0 in the MAC, while Akron drops to 10-18 overall and 0-2 in league action.

Meredith Linch moved to 6-7 on the season, pitching a complete game and giving up just one run off two hits while striking out six hitters for the RedHawks. Breanna Robinson paced Miami at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two RBIs.

After two and half scoreless innings, Miami put the first two runs of the game on the board in the bottom of the third inning. With bases loaded, Robinson drilled a two-run RBI single up the middle to plate Meghan Mawn and Halle Popson to give the RedHawks a 2-0 lead.

Akron scored its first run in the top of the fifth inning when Kelsie Hansen hit a bunt single to allow Jaci Brindus to cross home and cut the RedHawk lead to one, 2-1. Miami threatened to extend its lead in the bottom of the fifth with bases loaded and one out but was unable to capitalize.

Sarah Billstrom and Jenna McGivney roped consecutive doubles down the leftfield line to account for another Miami run in the bottom of the sixth inning as Billstrom scored of McGivney's double. With McGivney standing on third after a sacrifice bunt, Popson nailed a single to left center to plate McGivney, extending the Miami lead to 4-1.

Miami held Akron scoreless in the top of the seventh to preserve the 4-1 win.

Miami returns to action on Saturday, March 29, hosting Ohio University at 2 p.m. in the first game of a two-game weekend series.