March 18, 2010

Miami Invitational Game Notes

Miami Invitational Homepage

OXFORD, Ohio - The RedHawk softball team will be hosting its own tournament this weekend. Miami will welcome Canisius, Michigan State, Robert Morris and Toledo to the Miami Softball Stadium Mar. 19-21. The RedHawks will take on Robert Morris on Friday at 4 p.m., Canisius on Saturday at noon, Michigan State Saturday at 2 p.m. and Toledo Sunday at 4 p.m. The other teams will also play games against each other with 11 games total being played over the weekend. A complete schedule can be found at - http://www.muredhawks.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/2010-miami-invite.html.

SPRING BREAK RECAP: The RedHawks went 5-6 on their spring break trip to Florida and Washington, earning victories over Connecticut, Florida A&M, Portland State and Seattle (twice). They also took on defending national champion Washington two times, falling 3-0 the first time and 6-3 in game two. Miami returned home for a doubleheader against Western Illinois on Tuesday, dropping the first game, 5-1, in 14 innings and the second game, 5-3.

DOUBLE THE HONORS LAST WEEK: The Mid-American Conference announced Tuesday that senior outfielder Alicia Hogl has been named the MAC East Division Player of the Week and sophomore pitcher Jessica Simpson is the MAC East Pitcher of the Week for their performances at the Husky Softball Classic last weekend. It is the first honor for both players this season.

Hogl, a Bellingham, Washington native, was playing in front of her hometown fans for the first time in her career. She did not disappoint as she was the top RedHawks' top hitter for the week at .389. She also showed some power with a home run and three doubles. Her 13 total bases in six games gave her a slugging percentage of .722. She previously won MAC East Division Player of the Week honors last season on May 3.

Simpson gave up only four earned runs in 26 innings pitched last weekend. She went toe-to-toe with top ranked Washington for 10 innings in two different games at the Husky Softball Classic, starting the 3-0 loss and coming in relief during the 6-3 loss. She ended up surrendering only three earned runs against the nation's best team. Simpson also earned complete game victories against Seattle and Portland State, while also earning a victory against Seattle coming out of the bullpen. She struck out 26 during the week while holding batters to .216 average.

Miami Invitational Opponent Previews

ABOUT ROBERT MORRIS: The Colonials are 3-6 on the season, having played all their games over a long trip to Florida Mar. 5-10. They have faced a couple of MAC schools this year, having defeated Toledo, 3-2, on Mar. 6 and losing to Central Michigan, 5-4, on Mar. 5. The top hitter is sophomore Jaci Timko, with a .320 average. The top pitcher is junior Annie Dubovec with a 1-3 record and a 2.63 ERA.

SERIES WITH COLONIALS: Miami and Robert Morris have met only one time, way back in 1992. The RedHawks came away with an 8-0 win at the South Florida invitational in that contest.

ABOUT CANISIUS: The Golden Griffins are 10-8 so far in 2010. They are the defending MAAC Champions, having played in the Ohio State Regional in the NCAA Tournament last year. Cainsius' top hitter is senior catcher Michelle Fridey. She hits .407 with two home runs and 18 RBI. Its top pitcher is freshman Amanda Baun. She has a 6-4 record with a 1.87 ERA.

SERIES WITH GOLDEN GRIFFINS: Like Robert Morris, Miami has only faced Canisius one time. The Golden Griffins came away with a 6-5 victory in 1999.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE: The Spartans are 10-13 overall and have won seven of their past 10 games. The top hitter for Michigan State is junior outfielder Jessica Bracamonte. She is hitting .383 with 12 RBI. The top pitcher is sophomore Lauren Kramer. She is 6-5 overall with a 2.09 ERA in 14 appearances.

SERIES WITH THE SPARTANS: Michigan State has won all 12 past meetings between the two schools. The last came this season on Mar. 7 at the Miken Classic, where the Spartans defeated the RedHawks 8-0 in six innings.

ABOUT TOLEDO: Miami's Mid-American Conference rivals have gotten a fresh start under a new coaching staff this season. The Rockets are 4-15 overall having just split a doubleheader at home with Southern Utah on Wednesday. The top hitter has been freshman outfielder Erinn Wright. She is hitting .354 with one home run and five RBI. The top pitcher has been senior Hannah Rockhold. She has appeared in 19 of the team's 20 games (nine starts) and has a 2-5 record with a 3.42 ERA.

SERIES WITH ROCKETS: Toledo holds a 42-29 all-time lead in the series with Miami. The RedHawks did sweep the two meetings last year in Toledo on Apr. 10, 5-0 and 9-0. The game at the Miami Invitational this year will count as a non-conference game. The Rockets will be in Oxford on Apr. 23 for a doubleheader that will count in the MAC standings.