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May 2, 2008
DeKalb, Ill. - The Miami softball team increased its chances for an invitation to the MAC Tournament by sweeping the Northern Illinois, winning game one by a 7-4 score, and earning a run rule win in the second game, 10-1 in six innings. With the two victories, Miami is now 12-8 in conference play, placing the team in contention for post season action.
Senior Breanna Robinson had a career day at the plate for Miami, going 5-for-6 at the plate, including three home runs and a triple, driving in nine runs and crossing the plate five times. In the sweep, Robinson set Miami's single-season record for home runs connecting for numbers nine, 10 and 11 on the season
Alicia Hogl had a big day in the batter's box as well, with five hits in seven trips to the plate and three runs batted in. Hogl ranks second on the RedHawks in RBI with 24 on the year.
The Red and White received two solid outings in the pitcher's circle from sophomores Meredith Linch and Shalise Lugo, as each earned victories on the day. Linch gave up four runs on five hits, while striking out four batters en route to her 14th win of the year. Lugo was equally impressive in game two, giving up zero earned runs on just two hits for her eighth victory of the season.
Robinson opened the scoring for Miami in the top of the first inning, when she hit a line drive off the glove of the Northern Illinois third baseman and into left field, scoring Meghan Mawn from third.
Alicia Hogl then brought Robinson home from second base on a single to left field, giving Miami an early 2-0 lead.
The Huskies pushed their first run of the game across in the bottom of the fifth inning with a one-out single to centerfield off the bat of Jenna Roberts, cutting the score to 2-1. The hit was Northern Illinois' first of the contest.
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Two batters later, Andrea Colosimo put NIU ahead, 3-2, with a bases clearing double to the wall in left field.
Robinson struck again in the top of the sixth inning, equaling the score at three runs apiece, when she ripped a triple into centerfield, bringing Sarah Billstrom home all the way from first.
Hogl followed up with a sacrifice fly to centerfield, plating Robinson from third base. With two runs batted in during the doubleheader, Hogl now ranks second on the team with 23 RBI.
Third baseman Kimberly Williams capped the scoring for the sixth inning with a double off of the fence in left field, scoring Christine Bills from second.
Robinson put the game out of reach in the seventh inning with a majestic two-run shot well over the 200-foot mark on the left field fence, giving Miami the 7-3 lead. The home run was Robinson's ninth of the season, tying her with two other players for the most round trippers in a single season in Miami's history.
NIU attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, driving in a run with two out, but Linch was able to shut the door for the final out of the game, preserving the 7-3 victory for the RedHawks.
In game two, Northern Illinois drew first blood when Krista McPherson scored from third base in the bottom of the first.
Miami answered back in the top of the third inning, as Halle Popson chipped a ball over the third baseman's head and into left field, scoring Kimberly Williams from third base.
The Red and White took their first lead of the game in the fourth inning, when Hogl drilled a triple to the gap in right centerfield, plating pinch runner Kathryn Russette from first base. Two batters later, Williams put a ball between the third baseman and shortstop, bringing Hogl around to score.
Robinson continued her amazing day at the plate in the fifth inning of game two, when she crushed her second home run of the day over the wall in straight away centerfield, scoring three runs on the shot.
Bills brought home the fourth Miami run of the inning with a double that scored Hogl from first base. Bills now has 23 RBI on the season.
With a sixth inning that saw Robinson hit her second round tripper of the game and third of the day, the RedHawks took a 10-1 lead, putting the run rule into play.
Northern Illinois went quietly in the bottom of the sixth, preserving the mercy-rule win for Miami, bringing the RedHawks' overall record to 22-24 on the season.
MU now travels to Kalamazoo, Mich. to take on the Broncos of Western Michigan to finish the 2008 regular season. Saturday's game is set for a 2 p.m. start and Sunday's first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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