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After flying out to a 4-0 record in the MAC, the RedHawks softball team came back down to earth, battling to win only two of the four games this weekend.
Miami University struggled right from the get go, dropping the first game of a double-header against Bowling Green State University and then falling behind in the second as well. Down 3-1 in the fourth inning of Friday's nightcap, Miami saw its weekend already spiraling out of control.
The 'Hawks posted a run in the bottom of the fourth, and then exploded for nine combined runs in the fifth and sixth to seal an 11-3 victory and a split series with the Falcons.
Sophomores Sarah Billstrom and Alicia Hogl powered the Miami attack. Each doubled in the fourth to drive in three of the five RedHawk runs that inning, making the score 7-3. In the sixth, Hogl drew a free pass to load the bases, which Billstrom followed with a single to drive in another run.
"In times like those it's hard to be a clutch hitter," Hogl said. "When there's runners on second and third, you want those runs more than anything and that's pressure right there on your shoulders. That's a challenge for almost every one of us. When you have pressure on yourself it's going to make you tense, it's going to affect how you swing-you have to release it. You have to just grasp onto the moment but don't let it get into your head."
The offensive explosion displayed Miami's resilience as the team had to bounce back from a game one loss and an early game two deficit. BG pitcher Emily Gouge seemed to have the 'Hawks' number early on, but the Red and White hung tough and eventually got the bats rolling.
"We were 0-4 with Bowling Green last year," Billstrom said. "We didn't win a game against them and that definitely put fire under us. After losing that first game (Friday) and knowing that we shouldn't have, we definitely got it in us to go back out there and take the game from them and that's exactly what we did."
The next day, Miami continued its offensive attack by putting up seven more runs in a 7-4 win against the University of Toledo.
Hogl and Billstrom shined once again. Hogl blasted her second homerun of the season in route to three RBIs on the day, while Billstrom doubled twice and picked up two RBIs of her own.
"Obviously (Hogl and Billstrom) are in the four and five spot for a reason," head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly said. "Between Robinson, Hogl and Billstrom-I think they could be the top middle lineup hitters in the conference. All three of them can run so just having the power and speed combination-it's lethal if we can get kids on ahead of them."
In addition to the overpowering Miami often came up with timely defensive plays as well. All the 'Hawks looked very sharp in the field as the team kept both of their opponents during the weekend at bay.
"We've definitely stressed defense," Billstrom said. "Especially when you have an offense that can put up runs, you really want to have a defense that's going to get out there and make the plays you need to make. And our pitchers have been doing a great job to where we can get those groundballs or the high pop flies; that makes it easier on the defense."
In the final game of the weekend, Miami's dangerous offensive attack went silent as the Rockets and 'Hawks battled through a low-scoring, nine-inning game. The score was tied 1-1 after regulation, and it wasn't until after a scoreless eighth inning that the two teams finally broke loose.
A triple and two double gave Toledo a 3-1 lead in the ninth. Miami answered in the bottom of the inning, but it would not be enough. With two outs and runners on second and third, Sarah Billstrom nailed an RBI single to score Meghan Mawn, putting the 'Hawks within one run of the Rockets, 3-2. A lineout in the next at-bat thwarted the RedHawk comeback, however, as Toledo won its first game in MAC play.
Miami faced changing weather elements in the four weekend games. The team welcomed the Falcons to town with a cold and dreary day for the double-header. The Rockets got a much nicer view of Oxford, however, with back to back warm, sunny days.
"We try to keep (the weather) out of our mindset but we definitely have to prepare for it," Billstrom said. "The infield gets sticky and the grass gets wet; today (Saturday) the sun was a challenge. It's going to be different everyday. We just try not to let it get into our heads so we're not freaking out about it."
Coming up for the RedHawks is another weekend home MAC series. This time Miami will host Ball State University with afternoon games on Saturday and Sunday. Even after a rollercoaster weekend, Miami still boasts a 6-2 conference record and will continue to push forward toward a post season appearance.
"We're trying to start off by getting enough wins to get into that tournament-that's the first goal," Schoenly said. "Then we'll see how it shakes out at that point. We have some big ideas for what we want to do, but you just got to play one game at a time."
