Feb. 24, 2008

PHOTO GALLERY

Tempe, Ariz. - Miami split its two games during the second day of the Littlewood Classic, hosted by Arizona State, taking down Buffalo by a 6-1 score in the team's first game, but falling to Illinois State in game two, 5-1.

Senior captain Halle Popson reached base in all four of her at-bats during game one, going three-for-three and adding a walk. She also scored three runs in the victory for Miami. Popson is hitting .375 this season, and leads the team with seven walks through Miami's first nine games.

Sophomore pitcher Meredith Linch tossed her second consecutive complete game, allowing just one run while scattering four hits over seven innings, to improve her record to 2-2 on the season. Appearing in seven of the team's nine games, Linch has an earned run average of 2.50 for the RedHawks.

Continuing her offensive tear was senior outfielder Breanna Robinson, knocking in Popson in the first inning to put Miami ahead, 1-0. Robinson leads the team with eight runs batted in this year. She also stole her first base of the season in the sixth inning after reaching on an error.

Buffalo tied the game in the third inning, but the Red and White came storming back in the fourth, sending eight players to the plate, as the team would push across two more runs in the frame.

The Bulls put pressure on again in the fifth inning, loading the bases, but Linch was able to escape the jam unharmed.

Miami put the game away in the bottom half of the sixth, driving in three more runs to seal the 5-1 victory. As a team, Miami racked up 13 hits, a single-game high for the 2008 season.

Things didn't go as smoothly for the RedHawks in the second game, as the team was only able to muster one run on six hits in its sixth loss of the season.

The only scoring for Miami was done in the third inning, when Breanna Robinson drove in freshman Kathryn Russette with a single. Robinson finished the day going 2-for-6 with two RBI.

Starting pitcher Shalise Lugo and Meredith Linch combined to allow five runs to the Redbirds on eight hits.

Miami will wrap up its trip Arizona with a contest against the tournament host, No. 2 ranked Arizona State. The Sun Devils are the highest ranked team that Miami has faced during Kelly Kovach Schoenly's time as the RedHawks head coach. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. MST.

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