Spring Break
Explosive offense powers MU
Sophomore duo ignites Miami in 2 conference wins
Dan Kukla
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: Sports
"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."
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."
Be the first to comment on this story