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Miami softball shutout by Eastern Kentucky

Shortstop Kylie McChesney tries to make a play at second base. McChesney has a .257 batting average and 14 runs on 18 hits.

Photo by Angelo Gelfuso

By Jordan Rinard, Senior Staff Writer

After winning seven of its last nine games, Miami University softball fell 10-0 in six innings to Eastern Kentucky University Tuesday. The RedHawks (18-12, 2-0 MAC) are 4-3 in weekday games this season.

"It was a terrible game," head coach Clarisa Crowell said. "We're disappointed in everything-defense, pitching and hitting, even though we had better at-bats late in the game. Give credit to EKU for their better defense, pitching and hitting. We have to show up ready to play. There's something about midweek games where we can't figure out how to go to school and play softball. This isn't Miami softball."

Eastern Kentucky (15-18) took an early 4-0 lead after two unearned runs in the first inning and two more runs in the third. Senior pitcher/third baseman Remy Edwards relieved sophomore starter Kelsey Fredericks at the mound, but the Colonels continued to cross the plate. EKU scored one run in the fifth inning and four runs in the sixth.

The Miami offense totaled six hits in the game but could not string them together and reach scoring opportunities. The RedHawks did not have a runner in scoring position until they trailed 6-0 in the fifth inning. Senior catcher Shanyn McIntyre was the only player with multiple hits on the day, going 2-3 at the plate.

The pitching and defense also struggled, as they allowed 11 hits. Two second baseman errors led to EKU scores early in the contest.

"We had energy and effort today but we couldn't physically get it done," Edwards said. "This week, we need to put it all together and fix what we need to fix. Kelsey had a great game, but she didn't have the help on defense that she needed, and for me and the other pitchers, we need to hit our spots better and get more groundouts and pop-ups. We need to step up as a staff and have confidence in our defense, and have good at-bats, hitting at the green instead of at people."

The RedHawks stay in Oxford this weekend for two doubleheaders with the State University of New York-Buffalo and Kent State University. Miami's Cancer Awareness Game is Saturday.

Buffalo (7-22, 0-2 MAC) limps into Oxford on a six-game losing streak, which includes a Kent State sweep. Sophomore first baseman Savanna Norcio and senior catcher/third baseman Alexis Curtiss each have a batting average over .400. However, their opponents hit .335.

Kent State (21-6, 2-0 MAC) is on a roll. The Golden Flashes are on a nine-game losing streak, and their last loss was a 4-1 defeat against No. 3 University of Michigan March 15. Their potent offense bats .284 overall, and three pitchers hold an ERA under 2.00. KSU faces Ball State University in a doubleheader before arriving in Oxford.

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