After picking up four conference wins last weekend, the Miami University softball team (23-12, 6-2 Mid-American Conference (MAC)) faces Ball State University this weekend in Oxford.

Miami reached the top of the MAC after defeating Akron University in a doubleheader Friday and Ohio University Saturday and Sunday.

The RedHawks now stand atop the MAC East Division in a three-way tie with Bowling Green State University and Kent State University.

Senior pitcher Jessica Simpson had an excellent weekend and picked up the MAC East Division Pitcher of the Week award, while also tying the MAC record for all-time career wins.

“It’s a really great honor to have won MAC Pitcher of the Week 13 times in my career,” Simpson said. “I’m truly lucky to have been given this opportunity and to play with such great teammates throughout my career. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”

Simpson threw 24 innings over the weekend with a 0.86 earned run average and 31 strikeouts while earning three wins, which brought her career total to 85.

“Clearly Jessica is an elite player,” Head Coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly said. “She works hard and improves every year.”

The ’Hawks four wins last weekend also gave Schoenly 170 for her career, putting her two away from tying former Red and White softball coach Angie Jacobs’ 172 wins, the most all-time at Miami.

The RedHawks are ready to play after last weekend’s sweep heading into their matchup with the Cardinals (24-11, 4-2 MAC) this weekend.

“We feel pretty confident because we’ve been on a roll lately,” Simpson said. “But at the same time we can’t take any game for granted.”

The Cardinals are tied for first in the MAC West Division with Western Michigan University and also lead the conference in batting average with five players hitting over .300.

To prepare, the ’Hawks are going back to the basics.

“In general, we’ve gotten better through the year but the teams we’re playing improve too,” Schoenly said. “We need to execute and do what we need to do to win.”

Saturday’s game will offer deals and giveaways to draw a large crowd and beat last year’s attendance at “Spread the Word to End the Word.” The game will have shirt tosses, a raffle and concession discounts. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at the Miami Softball Stadium.