OXFORD, Ohio (March 23) -— In its conference and home opener, Miami University’s softball team split a doubleheader with Eastern Michigan. The Eagles claimed the first game, 5-1, while Miami captured the nightcap, 1-0. Miami moves to 9-14 overall and 1-1 in the Mid-American Conference. EMU moves to 6-14 overall and 1-1 in league action.

Eastern Michigan took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second when Tauna Kinsey doubled to score Genny Hann, who was pinch running for Julie Stoll. Deanna Wisneski doubled the following at-bat to score Kinsey. Miami put its lone run on the board in the bottom of the inning when Angie Gerber (La Salle, Mich./Mason) singled and then was knocked in on a Abbey Arnold (Dana Point, Calif./St. Margaret’s) double.

The Eagles collected their other three runs in the fifth inning when Crystal Thompson doubled to score Randi Wolfe, and Kristen Zabalavicius singled to drive in Thompson and Christie Koester.

Jessica Price earned her third win in the circle for EMU, pitching a complete game, while Abbey Arnold dropped her fourth decision of the season, throwing 4.2 innings.

In the second game, Miami again scored in the bottom of the second inning, but was able to shutout an opponent for the fourth time this season. Kristina Mortaloni (Ranchos Palos Verdes, Calif./Palos Verdes Peninsula) started the second inning for the RedHawks with a single. She advanced to second on Gerber’s single the following at-bat and moved to third when Erin Kucera (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield) grounded out to first base. Amber Arnold (Dana Point, Calif./St. Margaret’s) singled to score Mortaloni for the game-winning run.

Amber Arnold also pitched a complete game to earn her fifth win of the season and earn her first complete shutout. She gave up just five hits in seven innings. Price collected the loss for EMU.

Miami and Eastern Michigan will clash again tomorrow (March 24) in a single game at 1 p.m. at RedHawk Diamond in Oxford, Ohio.

– MU –