It was a weekend of ups and downs for the Miami University softball team, exploding on offense at some points, while going icy cold at others. The 'Hawks went 1-3 for the weekend, but fought hard in those four games.

Friday began with a doubleheader against the Kent State University Golden Flashes. Pitching ace Jessica Simpson took the mound against the Golden Flashes' stud pitcher Kylie Reynolds. First blood was drawn in the second inning when the RedHawks, due to some costly fielding errors, allowed three runs giving the Golden Flashes an early 3-0 lead.

The Golden Flashes added to the deficit when red hot Ashlee Hein hit a moonshot off of the scoreboard putting the lead at 5-0. The RedHawks, never a team to go quietly, were resilient.

In the sixth inning, led by catcher Jenna McGivney, the RedHawks were able to score three runs, cutting the lead to 5-3. In the seventh it was once again McGivney giving the RedHawks the boost, as she doubled ultimately leading to Sarah Billstrom scoring. At 5-4, the RedHawks were on the brink of completing their comeback, but Reynolds proved to be too much, striking out Kat Russette to end the game. The loss was disappointing, but some positive could be found.

"I was definitely pleased with our offense today," head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly said. "Reynolds doesn't give up much and that gives us confidence."

Game two proved disappointing as well. Although the RedHawks were able to find their stroke offensively, the Golden Flashes' bats proved to be too much. It was almost like deja vu, as once again it was Ashlee Hein, Jessica Carmichael and Leah Archual hitting the lights out. Five hits and six RBI's between the three of them, Meredith Linch struggled to contain them.

"I think that they did a good job of hitting it where it was pitched," McGivney said. "That's what good hitters do. They hit the ball where it is pitched."

By the end of the third, the score was 5-5, and the RedHawks got help from some unexpected sources. If the Golden Flashes proved one thing Friday, it was that they could hit the long ball. Carmichael was able to give them a lead they would never relinquish, homering to bring in two. The Golden Flashes would score two more as the RedHawks once again found themselves searching for answers in a 9-5 loss.

Although disappointed, the RedHawks were ready for their second doubleheader Saturday against the University at Buffalo Bulls. Having faced them in the preseason, the RedHawks knew they could compete with them. Billstrom certainly came prepared. Going 3-3, with four RBI's, the 2008 First Team All-MAC star showed why she is so dangerous. The RedHawks had a comfortable lead at 4-2 heading into the fifth, where they exploded for six runs. The 'Hawks did not hit for power, but through small ball and some costly errors by the Bulls the RedHawks got the run-rule decision as the game was called.

The win was huge for the RedHawks, but game two proved to be a much different story. Linch faced off against Buffalo's Sharon Barr in what was an epic pitching duel. Erin Zilka took advantage of Linch in the first, homering to make it 1-0. This was a mirage of danger and Linch was fantastic after that.

It was McGivney who answered in the fourth with a homer of her own to make it 1-1. Linch seemed to be more effective than Barr as the RedHawks were able to get on base but seemed to always strand their runners in scoring position. Finally, in the seventh inning, the Bulls' Alexandra Bejarano was able to get an RBI on a fielder's choice giving the Bulls the 2-1 lead and the win. The split was heartbreaking, as the RedHawks seemed poised to sweep the Bulls.

The RedHawks will continue their MAC play Friday against the University of Toledo where they hope to take advantage of a team with a 4-24 record overall this season. Although it would seem this would make the RedHawks the heavy favorite, they know better than to overlook any opponents.